CVE-2015-1066 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Off-by-one error in IOAcceleratorFamily in Apple OS X through 10.10.2 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1066 represents a critical off-by-one error within the IOAcceleratorFamily component of Apple's macOS operating system. This flaw exists in versions through 10.10.2 and creates a privilege escalation vector that enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The IOAcceleratorFamily serves as a crucial kernel extension responsible for managing graphics acceleration and hardware acceleration capabilities, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to elevate their system access levels. The vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during memory operations, specifically when handling buffer allocations and data processing within the graphics acceleration subsystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted application that exploits the off-by-one error to manipulate memory boundaries within the kernel space. When the vulnerable system processes malicious input through the IOAcceleratorFamily, the flawed boundary checking allows memory corruption that can be leveraged to overwrite critical kernel data structures or execute arbitrary code. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 category of "Improper Validation of Array Index" and represents a classic buffer overflow condition where the error occurs during the validation phase rather than the actual memory access. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the privileged kernel context, meaning successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise without requiring user interaction beyond launching the malicious application.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1066 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential full system compromise and persistent access. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can gain root-level privileges, enabling them to install malware, modify system files, establish backdoors, and access sensitive user data without detection. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation tactics, specifically targeting kernel-level vulnerabilities to achieve persistent system control. Organizations running affected macOS versions face significant risk as this vulnerability can be exploited remotely through malicious applications or through social engineering attacks that trick users into executing crafted software. The impact is particularly severe for enterprise environments where macOS systems may be running unpatched versions, potentially providing attackers with a stable foothold for lateral movement and data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1066 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment through Apple's security updates, which address the underlying off-by-one error in the IOAcceleratorFamily implementation. System administrators should prioritize updating all affected macOS systems to versions that include the patched IOAcceleratorFamily component, typically macOS 10.10.3 or later. Additionally, organizations should implement application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted applications, particularly those that may attempt to interact with graphics acceleration APIs. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, including unusual kernel memory access patterns or unexpected privilege escalation events. Security teams should also consider implementing kernel extension monitoring and code integrity verification to detect unauthorized modifications to system components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date system patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that reduce the attack surface for kernel-level exploits, aligning with the principle of least privilege and comprehensive system hardening practices recommended by cybersecurity frameworks such as NIST SP 800-171 and ISO 27001.