CVE-2014-1372 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Graphics Driver in Apple OS X before 10.9.4 does not properly restrict read operations during processing of an unspecified system call, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information from kernel memory and bypass the ASLR protection mechanism via a crafted call.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1372 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Apple's graphics driver implementation in OS X versions prior to 10.9.4. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and memory access controls during the processing of system calls related to graphics operations. The flaw specifically affects the kernel-level components responsible for handling graphics driver interactions, creating a pathway for malicious local users to extract sensitive data from kernel memory spaces. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it directly undermines fundamental security mechanisms including Address Space Layout Randomization, which is a critical defense against exploitation techniques. The unspecified system call mentioned in the description likely pertains to graphics driver interface operations that are commonly used by applications and system processes to interact with the GPU subsystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a flaw in the graphics driver's kernel extension where read operations are not adequately restricted during system call processing. When a crafted application or malicious code invokes the affected system call, the graphics driver fails to properly validate memory access parameters, allowing unauthorized read operations to traverse kernel memory boundaries. This misconfiguration enables attackers to read arbitrary kernel memory locations, potentially exposing sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, security tokens, or other confidential data stored in kernel space. The vulnerability's exploitation requires local system access, meaning an attacker must already have user-level privileges on the target system, but the impact is significant as it can bypass multiple security mitigations including ASLR and stack canaries. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which covers "Information Exposure," and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation in kernel space code.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1372 is substantial for organizations running affected Apple operating systems, particularly in environments where security is paramount. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can obtain kernel memory contents that may contain sensitive data structures, security credentials, or other confidential information that could be leveraged for further exploitation. The bypassing of ASLR protection mechanisms is particularly concerning as it significantly reduces the effectiveness of modern exploit mitigations that rely on memory layout randomization to prevent successful code execution attacks. The vulnerability essentially provides attackers with a primitive for information disclosure that can be used as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, potentially enabling privilege escalation or the development of more advanced exploits. This type of vulnerability is categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1059.003, which involves the use of system commands, and represents a critical weakness in the kernel's memory management and access control mechanisms. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader threat landscape where local privilege escalation and information disclosure attacks can lead to complete system compromise.
The recommended mitigation strategy for CVE-2014-1372 centers on immediate system updates to Apple OS X 10.9.4 or later versions where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper kernel memory access controls and enhanced input validation in the graphics driver components. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems, particularly those in critical infrastructure environments or those handling sensitive data. Additional mitigations include implementing strict access controls and monitoring for unusual system call patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as well as maintaining comprehensive system logs for forensic analysis. Organizations should also consider deploying endpoint protection solutions that can detect anomalous behavior in graphics driver interactions and monitor for potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's remediation through official patches demonstrates Apple's commitment to addressing kernel-level security issues, but the incident highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all operating system components, particularly those with direct hardware interaction capabilities. Regular security assessments of kernel extensions and graphics driver implementations should be conducted to identify potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors in the wild.