CVE-2014-4442 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
The kernel in Apple OS X before 10.10 allows local users to cause a denial of service (panic) via a message to a system control socket.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4442 represents a critical kernel-level flaw in Apple's operating system that affects versions prior to 10.10. This issue resides within the kernel's handling of system control sockets, which are essential components for inter-process communication and system management operations. The vulnerability manifests when malicious or malformed messages are sent to these system control sockets, leading to unexpected system behavior that ultimately results in kernel panic conditions. Such panics cause the operating system to crash and reboot automatically, effectively creating a denial of service condition that disrupts normal system operations and user productivity. The flaw demonstrates a classic buffer over-read or improper input validation issue within kernel space, where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize incoming messages before processing them.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates at the kernel level where privilege separation becomes crucial. System control sockets are typically used for administrative functions and system monitoring, making them attractive targets for exploitation. The vulnerability stems from inadequate message validation mechanisms within the kernel's socket handling code, which fails to properly check message boundaries, lengths, or content formats before attempting to process them. This allows local users with minimal privileges to craft specific messages that trigger memory corruption or invalid memory access patterns within kernel space. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are common in kernel-level buffer management failures. The attack vector requires local system access, making it a privilege escalation vulnerability that can be exploited by users who already have access to the system but without elevated privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4442 extends beyond simple service disruption, as kernel panics can result in data loss, system instability, and potential information exposure. When the kernel panics, it typically dumps core memory contents to disk, which may contain sensitive information from other processes or system components. Additionally, repeated exploitation can lead to persistent system instability, making the affected system unreliable for business operations or critical tasks. The vulnerability affects Apple's desktop and server operating systems, potentially impacting enterprise environments where system uptime is critical. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability fits within the ATT&CK framework under the T1068 technique for Valid Accounts and T1499 for Endpoint Denial of Service, as it leverages local access to cause system-wide disruption. Organizations running affected versions of OS X are particularly vulnerable because the kernel panic can occur without any user intervention once the malicious message is sent, making it difficult to detect and prevent.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4442 primarily focus on immediate system updates and access controls. Apple addressed this vulnerability through security updates released as part of OS X 10.10 Yosemite, which included patches to the kernel's socket handling code and improved input validation mechanisms. System administrators should prioritize deployment of these security patches across all affected systems to prevent exploitation. Network segmentation and access control policies can help limit local user access to system control sockets, though this approach may interfere with legitimate administrative functions. Monitoring for unusual socket activity or system crashes can help detect exploitation attempts, though the vulnerability's nature makes detection challenging. The fix implemented by Apple involves strengthening the kernel's message validation routines, ensuring proper bounds checking, and implementing more robust error handling for malformed messages. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates. Given the nature of kernel vulnerabilities, comprehensive system hardening practices including disabling unnecessary services and limiting local user privileges can reduce the overall attack surface and potential impact of such vulnerabilities.