CVE-2019-8555 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2019-8555, a vulnerability in macOS Mojave 10.14.4 that allowed malicious applications to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Find out how to mitigate this security risk.
macOS Mojave 10.14.4 has resolved a buffer overflow vulnerability that could allow a malicious application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.
Understanding CVE-2019-8555
What is CVE-2019-8555?
A buffer overflow issue in macOS Mojave 10.14.4 allowed malicious applications to potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. This vulnerability has been addressed through enhanced size verification.
The Impact of CVE-2019-8555
The identified concern where a potentially harmful application could execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges has been rectified in macOS Mojave 10.14.4.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-8555
Vulnerability Description
A buffer overflow was addressed in macOS Mojave 10.14.4 through improved size validation, preventing malicious applications from executing arbitrary code with kernel privileges.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Affected Product: macOS
- Vendor: Apple
- Affected Version: macOS Mojave 10.14.4 (and below)
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability allowed a malicious application to exploit a buffer overflow, enabling the execution of arbitrary code with kernel privileges.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Users should update their macOS systems to version 10.14.4 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Exercise caution when downloading and running applications from untrusted sources.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update the operating system and applications to the latest versions.
- Implement security best practices to minimize the risk of exploitation.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that all security patches and updates provided by Apple are promptly installed to protect against known vulnerabilities.