CVE-2018-4344
Apple Multiple Products Memory Corruption Vulnerability
Description
CVE-2018-4344 is a memory corruption vulnerability affecting multiple Apple products, including iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS. The flaw allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected device by exploiting improper memory handling within the operating system kernel. Successful exploitation of this Apple memory corruption vulnerability could grant an attacker elevated privileges, potentially leading to full device compromise. CISA has included CVE-2018-4344 in its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming real-world exploitation, though the EPSS score of 0.19% (40th percentile) suggests that widespread automated exploitation is not currently prevalent.
KEV Information
CVSS Score
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HOpen in CalculatorAffected Products
| Vendor | Product | Version |
|---|---|---|
| apple | iphone os | < 12.0 |
| apple | mac os x | < 10.14 |
| apple | tvos | < 12.0 |
| apple | watchos | < 5.0 |
Multiple CVSS Assessments
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
References
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT209106(Release Notes, Vendor Advisory)
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT209107(Release Notes, Vendor Advisory)
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT209108(Release Notes, Vendor Advisory)
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT209139(Release Notes, Vendor Advisory)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2018-4344(US Government Resource)
Weakness Type
CWE-119: Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
CVE-2018-4344 involves improper restriction of memory buffer operations in the Apple kernel, where memory is accessed outside intended boundaries during processing. In the context of Apple's operating systems, this memory corruption flaw allows an attacker to overwrite or read adjacent memory regions, corrupting control structures or leaking sensitive kernel data that can be leveraged for code execution.
Learn more: CWE-119 — Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
Impact Analysis
CVE-2018-4344 impacts Apple's core operating system platforms — iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS — making it a broadly relevant threat across the Apple ecosystem. The memory corruption vulnerability allows for code execution, meaning an attacker could potentially gain kernel-level access to the affected device. Confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all at risk, as kernel-level code execution enables unrestricted access to device data, modification of system components, and disruption of normal device operations. While the EPSS score of 0.19% (40th percentile) indicates that large-scale automated exploitation is not expected, the inclusion in the CISA KEV catalog confirms that targeted exploitation has occurred, making this a priority for organizations managing Apple device fleets.
Exploit Maturity
CISA has confirmed active exploitation of CVE-2018-4344 in the wild by adding it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, with a remediation deadline of July 18, 2022. Despite the relatively low EPSS score of 0.19% (40th percentile), which suggests limited widespread automated exploitation, the KEV listing confirms that this vulnerability has been leveraged in targeted attacks. No known ransomware campaigns have been associated with CVE-2018-4344, but the ability to achieve code execution through memory corruption makes it a valuable primitive in multi-stage exploit chains targeting Apple devices.
Remediation
- Apply Apple security updates immediately as directed by the CISA KEV catalog. Update all affected devices to iOS 12, macOS Mojave 10.14, tvOS 12, and watchOS 5 or later releases that address CVE-2018-4344.
- Inventory all Apple devices across your organization and prioritize patching those running operating system versions prior to the security fix, particularly devices with access to sensitive corporate data or networks.
- Implement network segmentation to limit the lateral movement potential of any device that may have been compromised through this kernel memory corruption vulnerability before patching was applied.
- Review device logs and endpoint detection telemetry for anomalous kernel-level activity, unexpected privilege escalations, or crash reports that may indicate prior exploitation attempts.
- Enforce automatic update policies through MDM solutions to ensure all managed Apple devices receive security patches promptly, reducing the window of exposure for future kernel vulnerabilities.
Technical Details
CVE-2018-4344 is a memory corruption vulnerability in the Apple kernel caused by improper restriction of operations within memory buffer boundaries. The flaw manifests when the kernel performs operations on a memory buffer without properly validating that those operations stay within the allocated region, allowing writes or reads beyond the intended boundary. An attacker can trigger this condition to corrupt adjacent kernel memory structures, including function pointers, object metadata, or scheduling data, which can be leveraged to redirect kernel execution flow to attacker-controlled code. The vulnerability affects shared kernel code across iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS, meaning a single exploitation technique can be adapted across Apple's entire platform ecosystem. Apple addressed the issue through improved memory handling in the affected kernel subsystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2018-4344 being actively exploited?
Yes. CISA has added CVE-2018-4344 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation. While the EPSS score of 0.19% suggests limited automated exploitation, targeted attacks leveraging this memory corruption vulnerability have been documented. No ransomware usage is currently associated with this CVE.
What products are affected by CVE-2018-4344?
CVE-2018-4344 affects Apple iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS. Versions prior to iOS 12, macOS Mojave 10.14, tvOS 12, and watchOS 5 are vulnerable. The flaw resides in shared kernel code, making all Apple platforms that use the affected kernel susceptible.
How do I fix CVE-2018-4344?
Update all affected Apple devices to iOS 12, macOS Mojave 10.14, tvOS 12, or watchOS 5 and later. Per CISA guidance, apply vendor mitigations immediately or discontinue use of unpatched products. Enable automatic updates through MDM to ensure timely patching.
How severe is CVE-2018-4344?
CVE-2018-4344 is a significant kernel-level memory corruption vulnerability that enables code execution across multiple Apple platforms. Its inclusion in the CISA KEV catalog underscores real-world severity. While the EPSS percentile of 40.5% indicates moderate exploitation probability, the kernel-level impact makes successful exploitation particularly dangerous.
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