CVE-2024-27879 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/17/2024
The issue was addressed with improved bounds checks. This issue is fixed in iOS 17.7 and iPadOS 17.7, iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. An attacker may be able to cause unexpected app termination.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-27879 represents a classic bounds checking flaw that affects Apple's mobile operating systems. This issue manifests when applications fail to properly validate array indices or memory boundaries during execution, creating potential points of system instability. The vulnerability specifically impacts iOS and iPadOS versions prior to 17.7 and 18 respectively, indicating that Apple's security team recognized the severity of this bounds checking weakness in their mobile platform implementations. The flaw exists within the core operating system components that manage application memory allocation and data access patterns, making it particularly concerning given the privileged nature of mobile operating system code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the system's memory management subsystem. When applications attempt to access memory regions beyond their allocated boundaries, the system's bounds checking mechanisms fail to properly intercept these operations. This weakness falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index, which specifically addresses scenarios where array indices are not properly validated before being used to access memory locations. The flaw operates at the intersection of memory safety and privilege escalation, as it can be exploited to cause controlled application termination while potentially providing attackers with opportunities to analyze system behavior and develop more sophisticated attacks.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially enable more serious security consequences. While the immediate effect is described as causing unexpected app termination, such bounds checking failures often serve as stepping stones for more advanced exploitation techniques. The vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to observe system behavior patterns, potentially leading to information disclosure or privilege escalation scenarios. Attackers may leverage this weakness to craft targeted payloads that specifically exploit the memory management flaws, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where mobile devices handle sensitive data or operate in security-critical contexts.
The remediation approach taken by Apple demonstrates a standard security patching methodology that focuses on strengthening the bounds checking mechanisms within the operating system. The fix implemented in iOS 17.7 and iPadOS 17.7 represents a defensive programming improvement that enhances the system's ability to detect and reject invalid memory access attempts. This approach aligns with the ATT&CK framework's defense evasion techniques, specifically targeting the mitigation of code injection and memory corruption attack vectors. Organizations should prioritize deployment of these security updates to prevent potential exploitation, as the vulnerability could be leveraged by threat actors to gain unauthorized access to mobile device resources or to disrupt critical business operations that depend on mobile platform stability. The patching process should be integrated into standard security maintenance procedures to ensure comprehensive protection across all affected device configurations.