Denial of service in Apple iMessage

1) Input validation error

EUVDB-ID: #VU19059

Risk: Medium

CVSSv4.0: 7.7 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P/U:Green]

CVE-ID: CVE-2019-8664

CWE-ID: CWE-20 - Improper input validation

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to perform a denial of service (DoS) attack.

The vulnerability exists due to an issue with a "IMBalloonPluginDataSource individualPreviewSummary" method in IMCore, which can throw an NSException. A remote attacker can send a specially crafted IMessage to cause a denial of service condition.

Mitigation

Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

watchOS: 2.0 - 5.1.3

Apple iOS: 2.0 - 12.1.4 16D57

CPE2.3

• cpe:2.3:o:apple:watchos:2.2.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:watchos:3.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:watchos:4.3.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:watchos:5.1.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:apple_ios:2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:apple_ios:2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:apple_ios:3_0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:apple_ios:3.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:apple_ios:3.1.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:apple:apple_ios:3.2.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

External links

https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/download/153531/GS20190704143402.tgz
https://threatpost.com/apple-patches-imessage-bug/146277/

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability. However, proof of concept for this vulnerability is available.