CVE-2015-1131 in MacOS X
Summary
by MITRE
fontd in Apple Type Services (ATS) in Apple OS X before 10.10.3 allows local users to gain privileges via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-1132, CVE-2015-1133, CVE-2015-1134, and CVE-2015-1135.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1131 affects Apple Type Services (ATS) within Apple OS X operating systems prior to version 10.10.3. This flaw resides in the fontd daemon component responsible for managing font rendering and type services across the operating system. The vulnerability represents a privilege escalation issue that enables local attackers to elevate their system privileges from standard user level to administrative access, creating a significant security risk for affected systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level and leverages core operating system services that are fundamental to user interface functionality.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves unspecified vectors that allow privilege escalation through the fontd service in Apple Type Services. According to security analysis, this flaw likely stems from improper input validation or access control mechanisms within the ATS framework. The vulnerability operates by exploiting weaknesses in how the fontd daemon processes font-related data, potentially allowing malicious code execution with elevated privileges. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of privilege escalation flaws that can be classified as CWE-264, which encompasses issues related to permissions, privileges, and access controls. The specific exploitation mechanism involves manipulating font processing routines to gain unauthorized system access.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations running affected versions of macOS. Local users who can access the system can potentially exploit this flaw to gain root privileges, allowing them to install malicious software, modify system files, or access sensitive data without proper authorization. The attack vector requires only local system access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users share systems or where physical access to devices is possible. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability operates independently from other related CVEs including CVE-2015-1132 through CVE-2015-1135, indicating it represents a distinct security weakness within the ATS subsystem that requires separate remediation efforts.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Apple OS X version 10.10.3 or later, which contains patches addressing this privilege escalation vulnerability. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as monitoring for unusual font processing activities and reviewing system access logs for potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK framework technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation', and T1059, which involves 'Command and Scripting Interpreter' as attackers may use the elevated privileges to execute further malicious activities. Regular system updates and patch management processes should be prioritized to ensure all systems remain protected against similar vulnerabilities in the ATS framework and related font processing components.