CVE-2014-4395 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-2014-4394, 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 identified as CVE-2014-4395 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Apple's operating system ecosystem, specifically targeting the Intel Graphics Driver subsystem that operates within the OS X 10.9.4 and earlier versions. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the graphics driver's routine implementation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's security model. The vulnerability exists in the kernel-level graphics driver components that handle hardware abstraction for Intel graphics processors, making it particularly dangerous as it operates in a privileged execution context where normal user restrictions are bypassed.
The technical flaw manifests through improper validation of driver routine calls that should normally be restricted to kernel-level operations. When a malicious application attempts to invoke graphics driver functions without proper authorization checks, the validation mechanism fails to properly authenticate or authorize these requests. This validation failure creates a privilege escalation vector where unprivileged user processes can potentially execute code with kernel-level privileges. The vulnerability specifically affects the graphics driver subsystem's handling of graphics-related system calls, allowing attackers to craft applications that can manipulate graphics driver interfaces to gain elevated system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system. Once exploited, the malicious code can bypass standard security controls including sandboxing mechanisms and user privilege restrictions that normally protect system integrity. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install persistent backdoors, modify system files, access sensitive user data, and potentially escalate their access to other connected systems within network environments. The vulnerability's classification as a privilege escalation issue aligns with CWE-269, which describes improper privilege management in software systems, and represents a significant threat to system confidentiality and integrity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4395 primarily focus on immediate system updates and patch management, with Apple releasing OS X 10.9.5 to address this specific vulnerability. Organizations should prioritize applying the official security patches provided by Apple to ensure complete remediation of the graphics driver validation flaw. Additional defensive measures include implementing network monitoring to detect suspicious graphics driver activity, enabling kernel extension validation controls, and maintaining comprehensive system integrity monitoring. The vulnerability's relationship to the broader set of related CVEs from the same timeframe indicates a pattern of graphics driver security weaknesses that organizations should address holistically. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and kernel-mode exploitation methods that threat actors commonly leverage for persistent system compromise.