CVE-2019-8641 – CVE-2019-8641 is a critical out-of-bounds read ... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2019-8641?

CVE-2019-8641 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL). CVE-2019-8641 is a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Apple software that allows attackers to read sensitive memory contents. This affects multiple Apple operating systems and applications, potentially exposing users to information disclosure or enabling further exploitation.

📋 TL;DR

CVE-2019-8641 is a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Apple software that allows attackers to read sensitive memory contents. This affects multiple Apple operating systems and applications, potentially exposing users to information disclosure or enabling further exploitation.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

iOS
macOS
tvOS
watchOS
Safari
iCloud for Windows

Versions: iOS 12.4 and earlier, macOS Mojave 10.14.6 and earlier, tvOS 12.4 and earlier, watchOS 5.3 and earlier

Operating Systems: iOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, Windows (iCloud)

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Affects multiple Apple applications and frameworks that process untrusted data.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Remote code execution leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or installation of persistent malware.

🟠

Likely Case

Information disclosure of sensitive memory contents, potentially exposing credentials, encryption keys, or other protected data.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited information disclosure with proper memory protections and exploit mitigations in place.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH - Affects applications that process untrusted input from network sources.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Requires user interaction or specific application usage patterns.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: MEDIUM

Apple addressed this as part of multiple security updates; exploitation requires specific conditions to trigger the out-of-bounds read.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: iOS 12.4.1, macOS Mojave 10.14.6 Supplemental Update, tvOS 12.4.1, watchOS 5.3.1

Vendor Advisory: https://support.apple.com/HT210588

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Open System Preferences > Software Update (macOS) or Settings > General > Software Update (iOS). 2. Install available security updates. 3. Restart device when prompted.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Application Sandboxing

all

Ensure affected applications run with appropriate sandboxing and privilege restrictions.

Network Segmentation

all

Restrict network access to affected systems and applications.

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Isolate affected systems from untrusted networks and internet access.
Implement application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized code.

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check system version against affected versions list; macOS: 'sw_vers', iOS: Settings > General > About > Version

Check Version:

macOS: 'sw_vers', iOS: Check in Settings > General > About

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify system version is updated to patched versions listed in fix_official section.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Application crashes in affected Apple software
Memory access violation logs
Unexpected process termination

Network Indicators:

Unusual network connections from Apple applications
Suspicious data transfers

SIEM Query:

source="apple_app" AND (event_type="crash" OR error="memory_access")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2019-8641

CVSS v3 Score: 9.8 (CRITICAL)

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

CWE: CWE-125

Published: December 18, 2019

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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