This issue was addressed with improved handling of symlinks. This issue is fixed in iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, iOS 17.7.1 and iPadOS 17.7.1, visionOS 2.1, tvOS 18.1. Restoring a maliciously crafted backup file may lead to modification of protected system files.
Weakness
The product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource.
Affected Software
| Name | Vendor | Start Version | End Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ipados | Apple | * | 17.7.1 (excluding) |
| Ipados | Apple | 18.0 (including) | 18.1 (excluding) |
| Iphone_os | Apple | * | 17.7.1 (excluding) |
| Iphone_os | Apple | 18.0 (including) | 18.1 (excluding) |
| Tvos | Apple | * | 18.1 (excluding) |
| Visionos | Apple | * | 2.1 (excluding) |
Potential Mitigations
- Follow the principle of least privilege when assigning access rights to entities in a software system.
- Denying access to a file can prevent an attacker from replacing that file with a link to a sensitive file. Ensure good compartmentalization in the system to provide protected areas that can be trusted.
Related Attack Patterns
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/132.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/17.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/35.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/76.html
References
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/121563
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/121566
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/121567
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/121569
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Oct/10
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Oct/15
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Oct/16
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Oct/9