CVE-2014-4397 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-2014-4395, CVE-2014-4396, 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-2014-4397 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Apple's operating system ecosystem, specifically targeting the Intel Graphics Driver subsystem that operates within the macOS environment. This issue affects versions of OS X prior to 10.9.5, indicating a significant window of exposure for users running older system versions. The flaw resides in an integrated graphics driver routine that fails to properly validate incoming calls, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute unauthorized code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability's classification as a privilege escalation vector means that an attacker could potentially leverage this weakness to gain root-level access to a system, bypassing normal security boundaries that typically protect against unauthorized code execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the graphics driver's routine implementation, which constitutes a classic software security flaw that aligns with CWE-20, "Improper Input Validation." When applications or processes attempt to interact with the graphics driver through improperly validated interfaces, the driver fails to properly sanitize or verify the legitimacy of these calls, allowing malicious inputs to be processed as legitimate commands. This weakness creates a direct pathway for attackers to craft specially designed applications that can exploit the validation gap and execute arbitrary code within the privileged context of the graphics driver. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages the graphics subsystem, which often runs with elevated privileges to ensure proper hardware functionality, making this a prime target for privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4397 extends beyond simple code execution capabilities, as it enables attackers to achieve system compromise with elevated privileges that would otherwise be restricted. This vulnerability directly relates to the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the "Valid Accounts" and "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" tactics. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can execute malicious code with system-level privileges, potentially allowing them to install persistent backdoors, modify critical system files, disable security features, or exfiltrate sensitive data without detection. The fact that this vulnerability operates through a graphics driver interface means that standard application sandboxing measures may not prevent exploitation, as the graphics subsystem typically requires elevated permissions to function properly.
The remediation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate system updates to OS X 10.9.5 or later versions, which contain the necessary patches to address the graphics driver validation flaw. Organizations should prioritize this update across all affected systems, as the vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that could be exploited by both sophisticated attackers and automated malware. Security administrators should also implement monitoring for suspicious graphics driver activity and application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's relationship to other related CVEs in the same timeframe indicates this was part of a broader pattern of graphics driver security issues affecting Apple's ecosystem, suggesting that additional defensive measures such as application whitelisting and network monitoring should be considered. System hardening practices including disabling unnecessary graphics drivers and ensuring proper system updates remain crucial defensive measures against similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other subsystems of the operating system.