CVE-2023-40446 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2023
The issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Monterey 12.7.1, iOS 16.7.2 and iPadOS 16.7.2, iOS 17.1 and iPadOS 17.1. Processing maliciously crafted input may lead to arbitrary code execution in user-installed apps.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical memory handling flaw that affects multiple Apple operating systems including macOS Monterey 12.7.1, iOS 16.7.2, iPadOS 16.7.2, iOS 17.1, and iPadOS 17.1. The issue stems from insufficient memory management controls that allow maliciously crafted input to potentially trigger arbitrary code execution within user-installed applications. Such vulnerabilities fall under the broader category of memory corruption issues that have been historically classified as CWE-122, which specifically addresses buffer overflows and memory handling errors. The vulnerability demonstrates how improper memory allocation and deallocation can create exploitable conditions that adversaries might leverage to gain unauthorized system access.
The technical nature of this flaw involves the improper handling of memory resources when processing input data within application environments. Attackers can craft specific inputs designed to exploit memory management weaknesses, potentially leading to memory corruption that allows execution of arbitrary code. This type of vulnerability operates at the intersection of application-level memory management and system security boundaries, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through seemingly benign user interactions. The fix implemented by Apple addresses the underlying memory handling mechanisms to prevent such exploitation scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes or instability. When an attacker successfully exploits this memory handling flaw, they can achieve arbitrary code execution within the context of user-installed applications, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This represents a significant escalation from typical application-level vulnerabilities to system-level security breaches. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of the operating system, particularly concerning how user applications process external input data. The remediation requires system updates to ensure proper memory allocation and deallocation procedures are enforced throughout the application execution lifecycle.
Security practitioners should prioritize this vulnerability as it represents a critical risk to mobile and desktop environments where user-installed applications are prevalent. The mitigation strategy involves immediate deployment of the patched versions of affected operating systems, along with monitoring for potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all endpoints receive the necessary security updates. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and memory management in preventing such issues, aligning with ATT&CK framework techniques that target memory corruption vulnerabilities for privilege escalation and code execution. Regular security assessments should include memory handling review processes to identify similar weaknesses in custom applications and third-party software components.