CVE-2019-8900: a5 Code Injection (CVSS 6.8)

Description

A vulnerability in the SecureROM of some Apple devices can be exploited by an unauthenticated local attacker to execute arbitrary code upon booting those devices. This vulnerability allows arbitrary code to be executed on the device. Exploiting the vulnerability requires physical access to the device: the device must be plugged in to a computer upon booting, and it must be put into Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode. The exploit is not persistent; rebooting the device overrides any changes to the device's software that were made during an exploited session on the device. Additionally, unless an attacker has access to the device's unlock PIN or fingerprint, an attacker cannot gain access to information protected by Apple's Secure Enclave or Touch ID features.

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CVSS v3.1 Score

6.8

MEDIUM

CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Weakness Type (CWE)

CWE-94 CWE-94

Affected Products

Vendor	Product	Versions
apple	securerom	All
apple	a10_fusion	All
apple	a10x_fusion	All
apple	a11_bionic	All
apple	a5	All
apple	a5x	All
apple	a6	All
apple	a6x	All
apple	a7	All
apple	a8	All
apple	a8x	All
apple	a9	All
apple	a9x	All

References

Other References

https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/941987

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2019-8900? +

A vulnerability in the SecureROM of some Apple devices can be exploited by an unauthenticated local attacker to execute arbitrary code upon booting those devices. This vulnerability allows arbitrary code to be executed on the device. Exploiting the vulnerability requires physical access to the device: the device must be plugged in to a computer upon booting, and it must be put into Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode. The exploit is not persistent; rebooting the device overrides any changes to the device's software that were made during an exploited session on the device. Additionally, unless an attacker has access to the device's unlock PIN or fingerprint, an attacker cannot gain access to information protected by Apple's Secure Enclave or Touch ID features. It has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.8 (MEDIUM).

How severe is CVE-2019-8900? +

CVE-2019-8900 has a CVSS v3.1 score of 6.8 out of 10, rated MEDIUM. This is a medium-severity vulnerability that should be remediated as part of regular maintenance.

What products are affected by CVE-2019-8900? +

CVE-2019-8900 affects products from apple, specifically: a10_fusion, a10x_fusion, a11_bionic, a5, a5x, a6, a6x, a7, a8, a8x, a9, a9x, securerom. Check the affected products table above for specific version ranges.

How do I check if I'm vulnerable to CVE-2019-8900? +

You can use Secably's free Website Scanner to check your website for known vulnerabilities. For infrastructure scanning, use the Port Scanner to identify exposed services that may be affected. Check the vendor advisories linked above for specific patch and version information.

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