External risk intelligence

macOS Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2019-8526

This vulnerability affects the local operating system kernel or system components of macOS. It requires local access to the device to exploit and is not a network-reachable service, web application, or edge gateway.

Use After Free

Apple Mac Os X

before 10.14.4

Halo Surface Signal: 1 out of 5 — much less likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

This vulnerability affects Apple's macOS operating system. It stems from a flaw in memory management that could allow an application to gain higher privileges than intended. This could lead to unauthorized access or control over system functions.

Vulnerable macOS component
Memory management flaw
Potential privilege escalation

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

A use-after-free vulnerability exists within macOS that could allow an application to gain elevated privileges. This issue is related to memory management within the operating system. The vulnerability is fixed in macOS Mojave 10.14.4.

Local access required for exposure.
Application triggers vulnerability.
Elevated privileges result.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

A use-after-free vulnerability in macOS could allow an application to gain elevated privileges. This implies that a malicious application installed on a user's device could potentially escalate its own permissions, impacting the integrity of the system. The vulnerability is categorized as high severity.

Likely attacker skill level: Low.
Required access or conditions: Local access to the device.
Business risk or urgency: High.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This vulnerability could allow an application to gain elevated privileges on affected macOS systems. The issue has been addressed by Apple with improved memory management in a specific macOS update. Organizations should prioritize identifying and securing systems running vulnerable versions of macOS to mitigate potential risks.

Find affected macOS assets.
Reduce exposure or isolate risk.
Apply vendor fix and validate.
Monitor for related issues.

Supplementary metadata

CVSS vector

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

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Frequently asked questions

What is macOS and what vulnerability does it face?

macOS is the operating system developed by Apple for its Mac computers. It is currently facing a 'use after free' vulnerability, identified as CVE-2019-8526, which is related to memory management.

What type of weakness is CVE-2019-8526?

CVE-2019-8526 is classified as a 'use after free' vulnerability (CWE-416). This occurs when software tries to use memory after it has been released, potentially causing instability or security risks.

How can an attacker exploit this macOS vulnerability?

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by tricking a vulnerable macOS system into attempting to access freed memory, potentially leading to an application gaining elevated privileges.

What is the relevance of CVE-2019-8526 according to threat advisories?

Threat advisories indicate that CVE-2019-8526 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting macOS. It allows an application to gain elevated privileges, posing a significant risk to system integrity.

What steps should be taken to address this macOS vulnerability?

To address this vulnerability, organizations should identify affected macOS systems and apply the vendor-provided update, which includes improved memory management. Monitoring for related issues is also recommended.

References

Written by Nicholas Merritt

Nicholas Merritt is VP of Security Solutions at Halo Security. With more than 25 years across application security, vulnerability prioritization, and offensive security, he helps teams translate threat data into practical exposure validation and remediation focus. He authors Halo Threat Intelligence CVE advisories using Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context to prioritize internet-facing risk.