CVE-2015-1095 in MacOS X
Summary
by MITRE
IOHIDFamily in Apple iOS before 8.3, Apple OS X before 10.10.3, and Apple TV before 7.2 allows physically proximate attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted HID device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1095 resides within the IOHIDFamily component of Apple's operating systems, representing a critical security flaw that affects iOS versions prior to 8.3, macOS versions before 10.10.3, and Apple TV firmware before version 7.2. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the Human Interface Device (HID) subsystem, which is responsible for handling various input devices such as keyboards, mice, and other peripheral hardware. The vulnerability specifically targets the way the system processes HID device descriptors and reports, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit memory corruption issues through specially crafted HID devices.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a physically proximate attacker presents a malicious HID device to a vulnerable system, leveraging the lack of proper bounds checking and memory sanitization within the IOHIDFamily driver. The flaw manifests as a memory corruption condition that can be triggered during the device enumeration and initialization process, where the system fails to properly validate the structure and content of HID device reports. This memory corruption can potentially lead to arbitrary code execution with kernel-level privileges, as the attacker-controlled data flows directly into kernel memory spaces. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations, both of which are common pathways for privilege escalation attacks in kernel-mode components.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1095 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the vulnerability can enable complete system compromise when exploited successfully. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, potentially leading to full system takeover, persistent backdoor installation, and data exfiltration capabilities. The requirement for physical proximity significantly limits the attack surface but does not eliminate the threat, particularly in environments where attackers can gain access to target systems through social engineering, supply chain compromises, or physical access opportunities such as public spaces or shared work environments. This vulnerability also represents a significant concern for enterprise environments where physical security controls may be insufficient or where users might unknowingly connect malicious devices to corporate systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1095 primarily focus on immediate system updates and firmware patches provided by Apple to address the underlying memory corruption issues within the IOHIDFamily component. Organizations should prioritize deployment of iOS 8.3, macOS 10.10.3, and Apple TV 7.2 updates across all affected systems to eliminate the vulnerability. Additional protective measures include implementing strict physical access controls to prevent unauthorized device connections, deploying device whitelisting solutions that restrict which HID devices can be connected to systems, and monitoring for suspicious HID device enumeration events through system logs and endpoint detection systems. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of the principle of least privilege in kernel space operations and demonstrates how seemingly benign hardware interaction mechanisms can become attack vectors when proper input validation and memory safety controls are absent. Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability as part of broader attack surface reduction strategies and incorporate it into their threat modeling frameworks, particularly when analyzing potential attack paths involving physical access and hardware-based exploits.