CVE-2023-38424 - Addressing a Memory Handling Vulnerability Allowing Unauthorized Code Execution with Kernel Privileges on iOS 16.6, iPadOS 16.6, and macOS Ventura 13.5

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) is a catalog of publicly known security threats. One of the recent CVE entries, CVE-2023-38424, highlights a security vulnerability that was identified in several Apple operating systems, specifically iOS 16.6, iPadOS 16.6, and macOS Ventura 13.5.

This blog post aims to shed light on this security vulnerability, by giving an overview of the exploit, analyzing the code snippet, providing links to the original references, and discussing how the issue has been addressed by Apple with improved memory handling.

Exploit Details

The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-38424, was a result of insufficient memory handling, which could have allowed a malicious application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. In other words, this could have potentially given an attacker the ability to control the affected device, thereby causing a significant security risk.

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious application, which when executed, would trigger a memory handling error, eventually leading to arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning as it could potentially lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, device control, and other system functions.

The following code snippet depicts the potential memory handling issue

void vulnerable_function(char *buffer, size_t length) {
    char stack_buffer[256];

    if (length > 256) {
        return;
    }

    memcpy(stack_buffer, buffer, length);
}

In the above code example, a stack buffer (stack_buffer) of size 256 bytes is defined. The function then checks if the length of the input buffer (length) is larger than the size of the stack buffer. If it is, the function returns immediately, avoiding any potential issues. However, if the length is less than or equal to 256, the memcpy function is used, which can lead to a buffer overflow if not handled properly.

Links to Original References

1. Apple's CVE Page: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213607
2. CVE Details: https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2023-38424/
3. National Vulnerability Database (NVD): https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-38424

Issue Resolution

Apple has addressed this memory handling vulnerability in iOS 16.6, iPadOS 16.6, and macOS Ventura 13.5. The solution involved improving memory handling, which prevents the exploit from being triggered. Users are strongly advised to update their devices to the latest operating system versions, thereby ensuring that the vulnerability is fixed. The security update details can be found on Apple's support page: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213607

In conclusion, CVE-2023-38424 highlights the importance of diligent memory handling in software development. It is essential for software developers to be aware of the potential risks associated with poor memory handling and implement robust protection mechanisms to prevent security vulnerabilities from being exploited. For Apple device users, it is crucial to stay vigilant and regularly install the latest security updates to protect their devices from potential threats such as the one discussed in this blog post.

Timeline

Published on: 07/27/2023 01:15:36 UTC
Last modified on: 08/03/2023 13:57:36 UTC