CVE-2023-42899 in watchOS
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2023
The issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Sonoma 14.2, iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2, watchOS 10.2, macOS Ventura 13.6.3, tvOS 17.2, iOS 16.7.3 and iPadOS 16.7.3, macOS Monterey 12.7.2. Processing an image may lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-42899 represents a critical memory handling flaw that exists within Apple's operating systems, specifically affecting image processing functionality. This issue manifests when the system attempts to handle certain image files, creating a potential pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected devices. The vulnerability stems from inadequate memory management during image parsing operations, which can be exploited through specially crafted image files that trigger buffer overflows or memory corruption conditions. The flaw impacts multiple Apple platforms including macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS, demonstrating the widespread nature of the memory handling issue across the company's ecosystem.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper memory allocation and deallocation processes during image file processing. When an application or system component attempts to parse an image file, the flawed memory handling code fails to properly validate input data or manage memory boundaries, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory contents. This type of vulnerability typically falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index, which is commonly associated with buffer overflow conditions. The memory corruption can be leveraged to overwrite critical program memory locations, potentially allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where attackers can execute arbitrary code through compromised image processing functions.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-42899 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable full system compromise when image files are processed by applications that are not properly sandboxed or when users interact with maliciously crafted media content. Attackers can potentially leverage this vulnerability through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites that serve compromised image files. The vulnerability's presence across multiple versions of Apple's operating systems creates a broad attack surface, particularly concerning mobile devices where users frequently interact with multimedia content from untrusted sources. Organizations and individuals using affected versions of macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS face significant risk of unauthorized code execution, data exfiltration, and potential full system compromise.
Apple has addressed this vulnerability through comprehensive updates released as part of macOS Sonoma 14.2, iOS 17.2, iPadOS 17.2, watchOS 10.2, macOS Ventura 13.6.3, tvOS 17.2, iOS 16.7.3, and iPadOS 16.7.3. These patches implement improved memory handling mechanisms that properly validate image file structures and enforce memory boundary checks during processing operations. The mitigation strategy focuses on strengthening input validation and memory management routines to prevent the conditions that previously allowed for memory corruption. Security professionals should prioritize deployment of these updates across all affected systems, particularly in enterprise environments where image processing applications may be exposed to untrusted content. The fix aligns with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-144 for vulnerability management and emphasizes the importance of timely patch deployment to protect against memory-based exploitation techniques. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as network monitoring for suspicious image file transfers and user education regarding safe handling of multimedia content from unknown sources.