Full Report
iOS and OS X the most vulnerable operating systems? Don't confuse vulnerabilities with exploits, or patch frequency with insecurity.
Analysis Summary
This article primarily discusses the *methodology and conclusions* of a GFI report that ranked operating systems (like OS X, iOS, Windows, and Linux) by the number of reported vulnerabilities sourced from the NVD in 2014. It does not detail specific, actionable vulnerabilities, CVEs, or patches, but rather critiques the statistical representation of vulnerabilities across different operating systems.
Since the source material is an analysis of vulnerability reporting frequency rather than a specific security advisory, most fields below will reflect the lack of specific data provided in the text.
# Vulnerability: Analysis of OS Vulnerability Reporting Frequency (2014 Data Critique)
## CVE Details
- CVE ID: N/A (The article summarizes overall reports, not specific CVEs)
- CVSS Score: N/A
- CWE: N/A
## Affected Systems
- Products: OS X, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Linux Kernel
- Versions: Versions are aggregated in the original study; specific vulnerable versions are not detailed here.
- Configurations: N/A
## Vulnerability Description
The article critiques a study that quantified operating system security based on the *number* of NVD entries attributed to them in 2014. The critique focuses on methodological flaws, such as:
1. Windows versions being listed separately while Apple OS versions were lumped together.
2. The inclusion of application vulnerabilities (83% of listed flaws) blurring the distinction between OS and application security.
3. The methodology failing to account for patch frequency, exploitation status, or the actual impact of the reported flaws.
## Exploitation
- Status: Not detailed for specific flaws; the article notes that exploitation status data is missing from the source analysis.
- Complexity: N/A
- Attack Vector: N/A
## Impact
The article suggests that raw vulnerability counts do not equate to real-world risk, noting that higher-market-share operating systems (like Windows and Android) face disproportionately higher malware volumes, which affects overall security state more than the raw NVD count.
- Confidentiality: Unknown for specific flaws
- Integrity: Unknown for specific flaws
- Availability: Unknown for specific flaws
## Remediation
### Patches
- No specific patches are listed; the article criticizes the lack of remediation information in the source data.
### Workarounds
- No specific workarounds are detailed.
## Detection
- The article implies reliance on external tools (like GFI LanGuard mentioned) for patch management and scanning, but offers no specific Indicator of Compromise (IOC) or detection signatures for any particular flaw.
## References
- Vendor advisories: N/A
- Relevant links - defanged:
- hxxp://www.gfi.com/blog/most-vulnerable-operating-systems-and-applications-in-2014
- hxxp://nvd.nist.gov/
- hxxp://www.intego.com/mac-security-blog/mac-osx-ios-security-vulnerability-chart/
- hxxp://macviruscom.wordpress.com/2013/03/11/android-malware-and-blaming-the-victim/
- hxxp://9to5mac.com/2014/02/27/googles-sundar-pichai-android-not-designed-to-be-safe-would-target-android-too-if-he-were-making-malware/
- hxxp://netmarketshare.com/operating-system-market-share.aspx?qprid=10&qpcustomd=0
- hxxp://netmarketshare.com/operating-system-market-share.aspx?qprid=8&qpcustomd=0
- hxxps://web-assets.esetstatic.com/wls/2015/01/Windows-Exploitation-in-2014.pdf