CVE-2014-4376 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
IOKit in IOAcceleratorFamily in Apple OS X before 10.9.5 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context or cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference) via an application that provides crafted API arguments.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4376 resides within the IOKit framework of Apple's OS X operating system, specifically within the IOAcceleratorFamily component. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that affects versions of macOS prior to 10.9.5, where the kernel-level subsystem responsible for graphics acceleration and hardware acceleration operations contains a dangerous input validation flaw. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes API arguments from untrusted applications, creating an opportunity for malicious code execution in a privileged context that should normally be restricted to system-level processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a NULL pointer dereference condition within the IOAcceleratorFamily driver that handles graphics processing unit acceleration requests. When an application submits crafted API arguments to the IOKit interface, the system fails to properly validate these inputs before attempting to dereference pointers that may be null or uninitialized. This condition creates a predictable crash scenario that can be exploited to either cause a denial of service through system instability or more critically, to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The flaw operates at the kernel level where the privilege separation between user-space applications and kernel-space operations breaks down, allowing malicious input to bypass normal security boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4376 extends beyond simple system instability as it provides attackers with a pathway to escalate privileges and execute code with kernel-level permissions. This represents a severe threat vector that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes privilege escalation through kernel exploits, and CWE-476, which addresses NULL pointer dereference vulnerabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain complete system control, potentially leading to data theft, persistent backdoor installation, or further exploitation of other system components. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction since it can be triggered through normal application execution, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might inadvertently execute malicious software.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4376 primarily focus on immediate system updates to macOS 10.9.5 or later versions where Apple has implemented proper input validation and pointer checking mechanisms within the IOAcceleratorFamily framework. System administrators should prioritize patch management and ensure all endpoints are updated to prevent exploitation. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unsigned applications, monitoring for unusual kernel-level activity, and maintaining up-to-date endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and privilege separation to limit the potential impact should an attacker successfully exploit this vulnerability, as the privilege escalation capability makes this a high-priority remediation item according to industry security frameworks.