CVE-2014-4484

Vulnerability

The FontParser component in Apple iOS before 8.1.3, OS X before 10.10.2, and Apple TV before 7.0.3 contains a memory corruption vulnerability. An attacker can exploit this by providing a specially crafted .dfont file, which triggers memory corruption when processed, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.

Exploitation

An attacker needs to deliver a malicious .dfont file to the target system, for example, by persuading a user to open a malicious document or visit a crafted webpage. No authentication is required, and the system processes the file through the FontParser interface, resulting in memory corruption.

Impact

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, which could lead to full system compromise. Alternatively, exploitation could cause a denial of service through an application crash.

Mitigation

Apple has addressed this issue in iOS 8.1.3 [2], OS X 10.10.2 [1], and Apple TV 7.0.3 [3]. Users are advised to update their devices to the latest available versions. No known workarounds exist for unpatched systems.