CVE-2014-4430 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
CoreStorage in Apple OS X before 10.10 retains a volume s encryption keys upon an eject action in the unlocked state, which makes it easier for physically proximate attackers to obtain cleartext data via a remount.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4430 resides within Apple's CoreStorage implementation in macOS versions prior to 10.10, representing a critical security flaw in the operating system's full-disk encryption handling mechanism. This issue specifically affects the encryption key management process during volume ejection operations, creating a persistent security risk that undermines the fundamental security guarantees provided by the encryption system.
The technical flaw manifests when a CoreStorage volume is unlocked and subsequently ejected from the system. Rather than properly clearing the encryption keys from memory and storage, the system retains these cryptographic keys in a state where they remain accessible to the system. This retention occurs even after the volume appears to be properly ejected, leaving the encryption keys in a vulnerable state that persists beyond the normal lifecycle of the volume access operation. The vulnerability stems from improper key lifecycle management within the CoreStorage subsystem, where the system fails to fully destroy or invalidate the encryption keys upon ejection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for physically proximate attackers who have access to the affected system. When an attacker gains physical access to a machine with an unlocked and subsequently ejected encrypted volume, they can exploit this flaw by remounting the volume without requiring additional authentication. The retained encryption keys enable immediate access to the cleartext data stored on the volume, effectively bypassing the security controls that should normally prevent unauthorized access. This creates a window of opportunity for attackers to extract sensitive information from volumes that were thought to be properly secured.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and specifically relates to improper key management within cryptographic systems. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1003.001, "OS Credential Dumping: LSASS Memory," as it involves the improper handling of cryptographic keys that should normally be protected from unauthorized access. The security implications extend beyond simple data exposure to encompass the complete compromise of the encryption system's integrity, as it undermines the fundamental assumption that ejected volumes are no longer accessible without proper authentication.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include upgrading to macOS 10.10 or later versions where Apple has addressed the CoreStorage key management issue. System administrators should also implement additional physical security measures, including device encryption policies that enforce automatic locking after periods of inactivity and proper procedures for handling encrypted volumes. Organizations should consider implementing additional monitoring for volume ejection events and ensure that users understand the security implications of leaving volumes unlocked. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper key lifecycle management in cryptographic systems and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of encryption implementations, particularly in scenarios involving volume management operations.