Apple this week released new security updates for iOS, macOS, tvOS, Safari, and iCloud and iTunes for Windows, addressing tens of vulnerabilities in these products.
WebKit was the most impacted component, as it received patches for 19 vulnerabilities. The web browser engine powers a broad range of applications across numerous platforms, including Apple’s iOS and macOS (it is used in Safari, Mail, App Store, and many other apps).
The flaws addressed in WebKit this week could lead to universal cross site scripting, arbitrary code execution, information disclosure, and disclosure of process memory. One bug could allow a sandboxed process to circumvent sandbox restrictions, while another allows websites to access the microphone without any indicator to the user.
To address these issues, Apple improved validation, state management, memory handling, state handling, input validation, memory management, and logic.
Patches for these WebKit flaws were included in the updates for iOS, Safari, tvOS, iTunes for Windows, and iCloud for Windows.
A total of 49 flaws were patched with the release of iOS 12.2 this week, including the 19 in WebKit. Other impacted components include Contacts, CoreCrypto, Exchange ActiveSync, FaceTime, Feedback Assistant, GeoServices, IOKit, Kernel, Mail, Messages, Safari, Safari Reader, Siri, and Wi-Fi.
Exploitation of these flaws could result in denial of service, privilege escalation, information disclosure, arbitrary code execution, kernel memory disclosure, unexpected system termination, S/MIME signature spoofing, user tracking, or in overwriting arbitrary files.
iOS 12.2 is now available for download to iPhone 5s and later, iPad Air and later, and iPod touch 6th generation users.
Patches for a total of 38 vulnerabilities were included in the newly released macOS Mojave 10.14.4, Security Update 2019-002 High Sierra, Security Update 2019-002 Sierra. These affect components such as Contacts, DiskArbitration, FaceTime, Feedback Assistant, Graphics Drivers, Kernel, Messages, Notes, Perl, Security, Siri, and Time Machine, among others.
Only one vulnerability was addressed in Xcode 10.2, a memory corruption that could allow an application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. The issue was addressed with improved input validation.
tvOS 12.2 was released with patches for 36 vulnerabilities, including 18 of the flaws resolved in WebKit. Safari 12.1 arrived with fixes for 19 flaws: 18 in WebKit and one in Safari Reader.
iTunes 12.9.4 for Windows resolves 19 flaws too, namely 18 in WebKit and 1 in CoreCrypto. iCloud for Windows 7.11 addresses 20 bugs: 17 in WebKit, and 3 impacting CoreCrypto, iTunes, and Windows Installer.
Additional information on these security updates and on the addressed vulnerabilities is available on Apple’s support website.
Related: Apple Patches FaceTime Spying Vulnerability
Related: Apple Patches Dozens of Vulnerabilities in iOS, macOS
Ionut Arghire is an international correspondent for SecurityWeek.
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