CVE-2011-1516 in NetWeaver
Summary
by MITRE
The kSBXProfileNoNetwork and kSBXProfileNoInternet sandbox profiles in Apple Mac OS X 10.5.x through 10.7.x do not propagate restrictions to all created processes, which allows remote attackers to access network resources via a crafted application, as demonstrated by use of osascript to send Apple events to the launchd daemon, a related issue to CVE-2008-7303.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-1516 represents a critical sandboxing flaw in Apple Mac OS X versions 10.5.x through 10.7.x that fundamentally undermines the security model designed to isolate applications from system resources. This issue specifically affects the kSBXProfileNoNetwork and kSBXProfileNoInternet sandbox profiles, which are intended to prevent applications from accessing network resources and internet connections respectively. The flaw manifests when these profiles fail to properly enforce restrictions across all processes created by sandboxed applications, creating a pathway for privilege escalation and unauthorized resource access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper process hierarchy management within the sandboxing framework. When applications are launched under these restricted profiles, the sandboxing mechanism should ensure that all child processes inherit the same network restrictions. However, the flaw allows certain processes to bypass these restrictions, particularly when applications attempt to communicate with system daemons through Apple events. The specific attack vector demonstrated in the exploit involves using osascript to send Apple events to the launchd daemon, which operates with elevated privileges and can subsequently access network resources that should be restricted.
This vulnerability directly impacts the operational security posture of affected systems by creating a persistent backdoor that remote attackers can exploit to gain unauthorized network access. The attack methodology leverages the inherent trust relationships within the macOS architecture, specifically exploiting the communication channels between user-space applications and system daemons. The implications extend beyond simple network access, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to perform reconnaissance, exfiltrate data, or establish persistent access to network resources. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple versions of macOS, creating a broad attack surface that spans several years of system releases.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation." Organizations running affected macOS versions face significant risk of unauthorized network access, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The flaw essentially undermines the core principle of sandboxing by creating a mechanism through which restricted processes can escalate privileges and access resources outside their designated boundaries. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected systems, implementation of network monitoring to detect unauthorized access patterns, and careful review of application sandboxing policies to ensure proper enforcement of network restrictions. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing additional network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.