CVE-2015-1130 in MacOS X
Summary
by MITRE
The XPC implementation in Admin Framework in Apple OS X before 10.10.3 allows local users to bypass authentication and obtain admin privileges via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1130 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within Apple's operating system security architecture. This issue resides in the XPC (Cross-Process Communication) implementation of the Admin Framework, which is a fundamental component responsible for managing administrative privileges and secure communication between system processes. The vulnerability affects Apple OS X versions prior to 10.10.3, creating a persistent security weakness that could be exploited by local attackers to escalate their privileges without proper authentication. The XPC mechanism serves as a core building block for inter-process communication in macOS, making this flaw particularly dangerous as it undermines the fundamental security model that protects administrative functions from unauthorized access.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the Admin Framework's XPC implementation. Attackers can exploit unspecified vectors to manipulate the authentication flow and gain administrative privileges without providing valid credentials. This represents a significant failure in the principle of least privilege, where the system should enforce strict authentication requirements before granting elevated access rights. The flaw likely involves improper validation of process permissions or inadequate verification of caller identity within the XPC communication channels, allowing malicious processes to impersonate legitimate administrative services. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically involving insufficient access control mechanisms that permit unauthorized privilege escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1130 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over affected systems. Local users who exploit this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code with root privileges, potentially leading to system compromise, data exfiltration, or persistent backdoor installation. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires no network connectivity or external attack vectors, making it exploitable through local system access alone. This vulnerability directly violates the security model established by the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' tactic where adversaries leverage system flaws to gain elevated access rights. The implications for enterprise security are severe, as a single compromised local account could provide attackers with complete system control.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability center on immediate system updates and security hardening measures. Apple's release of OS X 10.10.3 addressed the underlying implementation flaws in the Admin Framework's XPC handling, making patching the primary recommended solution. Organizations should prioritize deployment of the security update across all affected systems, particularly those running older versions of macOS. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict access controls, monitoring for unauthorized administrative access patterns, and employing endpoint detection solutions that can identify suspicious XPC communication behaviors. System administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary administrative services and implementing principle of least privilege configurations to minimize the potential impact if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date operating system versions and the potential consequences of running unsupported software releases in enterprise environments.