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CVE Record

CVE-2018-4436: A certificate validation issue existed in configuration profiles.

A certificate validation issue existed in configuration profiles. This was addressed with additional checks. This issue affected versions prior to iOS 12.1.1, tvOS 12.1.1, watchOS 5.1.2.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2018-4436 is an Apple configuration-profile certificate validation flaw. On iOS, tvOS, and watchOS versions before the fixed releases, profile handling lacked sufficient certificate checks. Apple says it was addressed with additional checks, but the public record does not describe business impact, attack prerequisites, or data exposure.

Executive priority

Prioritize this as legacy Apple fleet hygiene unless vulnerable devices remain in production. The limited public detail prevents a precise risk rating, but certificate validation issues can affect trust decisions, so outdated managed devices should be found and remediated.

Technical view

The vulnerability affects configuration profile certificate validation in iOS before 12.1.1, tvOS before 12.1.1, and watchOS before 5.1.2. Apple’s advisory states the issue was fixed by adding checks. No CVSS score, CWE, detailed impact statement, or exploit mechanics are provided in the supplied sources.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to Apple devices running vulnerable pre-fix iOS, tvOS, or watchOS versions, especially where configuration profiles are used. Current or supported devices updated beyond the listed versions are not indicated as affected by the supplied sources.

Exploitation context

The supplied sources do not show CISA KEV listing or other evidence of active exploitation. They also do not provide enough detail to assess whether exploitation required user interaction, local access, MDM access, or a malicious profile delivery path.

Researcher notes

Public data is sparse. The record names affected platforms and fixed versions but omits root cause depth, exploitability conditions, impact scope, CVSS, and CWE. Analysis should stay anchored to Apple’s advisory and the CVE record, with validation focused on version exposure and profile usage.

Mitigation direction

  • Update iOS devices to 12.1.1 or later where supported.
  • Update tvOS devices to 12.1.1 or later where supported.
  • Update watchOS devices to 5.1.2 or later where supported.
  • Check Apple guidance for unsupported devices or environment-specific controls.
  • Retire or isolate devices that cannot receive fixed versions.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory iOS, tvOS, and watchOS versions across managed assets.
  • Identify devices below iOS 12.1.1, tvOS 12.1.1, or watchOS 5.1.2.
  • Confirm configuration profile usage on vulnerable Apple devices.
  • Verify updates completed successfully through device management or local settings.
  • Document any unsupported devices and compensating controls.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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CVE-2018-4436 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
4Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/aiOS, tvOS, watchOSVersions prior to: iOS 12.1.1, tvOS 12.1.1, watchOS 5.1.2Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.