CVE-2019-8545 – CVE-2019-8545 is a memory corruption vulnerabil... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2019-8545?

CVE-2019-8545 has a CVSS score of 7.1 (HIGH). CVE-2019-8545 is a memory corruption vulnerability in Apple operating systems that allows local users to cause system crashes or read kernel memory. This affects iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS users who haven't updated to the patched versions. The vulnerability requires local access to the device.

📋 TL;DR

CVE-2019-8545 is a memory corruption vulnerability in Apple operating systems that allows local users to cause system crashes or read kernel memory. This affects iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS users who haven't updated to the patched versions. The vulnerability requires local access to the device.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

iOS
macOS
tvOS
watchOS

Versions: Versions before iOS 12.2, macOS Mojave 10.14.4, tvOS 12.2, watchOS 5.2

Operating Systems: Apple iOS, Apple macOS, Apple tvOS, Apple watchOS

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All default configurations of affected versions are vulnerable

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Local attacker gains kernel memory read access leading to privilege escalation or system compromise

🟠

Likely Case

Local user causes system crash/reboot resulting in denial of service

🟢

If Mitigated

No impact if systems are patched to the fixed versions

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access to device, not remotely exploitable

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Internal users with local access could exploit, but requires physical or authenticated access

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires local access and knowledge of memory corruption techniques

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: iOS 12.2, macOS Mojave 10.14.4, tvOS 12.2, watchOS 5.2

Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/HT209599

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Open Settings/System Preferences 2. Go to Software Update 3. Install available updates 4. Restart device when prompted

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict local access

all

Limit physical and remote access to vulnerable devices

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized local access
Isolate vulnerable devices from sensitive networks and data

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check system version against affected versions: iOS < 12.2, macOS < 10.14.4, tvOS < 12.2, watchOS < 5.2

Check Version:

iOS/tvOS/watchOS: Settings > General > About > Version; macOS: Apple menu > About This Mac

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify system version is at or above: iOS 12.2, macOS 10.14.4, tvOS 12.2, watchOS 5.2

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic logs
System crash reports
Unexpected reboots

Network Indicators:

None - local exploit only

SIEM Query:

Search for kernel panic events or system crash reports on Apple devices

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2019-8545

CVSS v3 Score: 7.1 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H

CWE: CWE-787

Published: December 18, 2019

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

https://support.apple.com/HT209599 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/HT209600 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/HT209601 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/HT209602 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/HT209599 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/HT209600 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/HT209601 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/HT209602 Vendor Advisory

📤 Share & Export

📄 Export Markdown 📋 Export JSON

🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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