CVE-2014-4394 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
An unspecified integrated graphics driver routine in the Intel Graphics Driver subsystem in Apple OS X before 10.9.5 does not properly validate calls, which allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context via a crafted application, a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-4395, CVE-2014-4396, CVE-2014-4397, CVE-2014-4398, CVE-2014-4399, CVE-2014-4400, CVE-2014-4401, and CVE-2014-4416.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-4394 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Apple's integrated graphics driver subsystem that affected versions of macOS prior to 10.9.5. This issue resides in the Intel Graphics Driver component of the operating system's graphics stack, specifically targeting the validation mechanisms that govern how driver routines process incoming calls from user-space applications. The flaw manifests as insufficient input validation within the graphics driver's kernel extension, creating a pathway for malicious applications to bypass normal security boundaries and execute code with elevated privileges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation, which is classified as CWE-20 by the Common Weakness Enumeration standard. This weakness occurs when a system fails to properly validate or sanitize inputs received from external sources, allowing attackers to manipulate the system's behavior through crafted inputs. In this case, the graphics driver routine accepts calls without adequate verification of their legitimacy or parameters, enabling an attacker to craft a malicious application that can exploit this validation gap. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond typical application-level exploits since it operates within the kernel context of the graphics driver, providing attackers with elevated privileges that can be leveraged to compromise the entire system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for macOS users since it allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context without requiring physical access or additional exploitation vectors. The attack scenario typically involves a user unknowingly running a crafted application that triggers the vulnerable driver routine, which then executes the attacker's malicious payload with system-level privileges. This capability enables attackers to install persistent malware, modify system files, escalate privileges further, or establish backdoors that can persist across reboots. The vulnerability's classification as a privilege escalation issue aligns with the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation tactics, specifically targeting the use of kernel exploits to gain elevated system access.
The exploitation of CVE-2014-4394 demonstrates the critical importance of kernel-level security validation in operating system components, particularly graphics drivers that maintain persistent connections to hardware and operate with high privileges. This vulnerability underscores the risks associated with insufficient sandboxing and privilege separation in system drivers, as the graphics subsystem typically requires extensive hardware access and operates at the highest privilege levels. Security researchers have noted that graphics driver vulnerabilities of this nature are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited through seemingly benign applications, making detection and prevention challenging. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond immediate exploitation to include potential long-term system compromise, as attackers can establish persistent access through kernel-level modifications that are difficult to detect and remove.
Organizations and individuals should implement immediate mitigations including updating to macOS 10.9.5 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as application whitelisting, kernel extension restrictions, and monitoring for unusual graphics driver activity. The vulnerability highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of kernel-level components, particularly those that interface with hardware and maintain persistent system access. Regular security assessments and vulnerability management processes should include thorough evaluation of graphics drivers and other kernel extensions to prevent similar issues from compromising system integrity. This vulnerability serves as a reminder that even components that appear to be peripheral to core system operations can represent critical attack vectors when insufficiently validated or secured.