CVE-2015-1141 in MacOS X
Summary
by MITRE
The mach_vm_read functionality in the kernel in Apple OS X before 10.10.3 allows local users to cause a denial of service (system crash) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1141 resides within the mach_vm_read functionality of Apple's kernel implementation in macOS operating systems prior to version 10.10.3. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that affects the kernel's memory management subsystem, specifically targeting the Mach virtual memory subsystem that forms the foundation of macOS memory handling operations. The vulnerability allows local attackers to exploit the kernel's virtual memory read functionality to trigger system crashes, effectively enabling a denial of service condition that can bring the entire operating system to a halt.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory read operations within the kernel space, where the mach_vm_read function fails to properly validate input parameters or handle edge cases during memory access operations. This particular flaw falls under the category of kernel-level memory corruption issues that can be exploited through local user privileges, making it particularly concerning for systems where local access is possible. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that multiple attack paths could lead to exploitation, indicating a fundamental flaw in the input validation mechanisms rather than a single specific code path.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for macOS systems, as any local user with access to the system can potentially cause system crashes that may result in complete system downtime. The denial of service condition can be particularly problematic in enterprise environments where system stability is critical, as it could be used to disrupt services or potentially as a precursor to more sophisticated attacks. The local nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require network access or remote execution capabilities, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where local access is common or easily obtained. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and may also relate to CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read conditions in kernel memory management.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper kernel memory management and input validation in operating system security. Systems running affected versions of macOS are particularly vulnerable to attacks that can cause system instability, potentially leading to data loss or service disruption. The impact extends beyond simple system crashes, as such vulnerabilities can also provide attackers with opportunities to escalate privileges or gather system information. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability would be categorized under privilege escalation and denial of service techniques, potentially enabling attackers to move laterally within a network or disrupt critical services. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems to prevent exploitation, as the vulnerability represents a fundamental weakness in the kernel's memory handling that can be leveraged for system disruption.
Apple addressed this vulnerability through the release of macOS 10.10.3, which included kernel-level patches to properly validate memory read operations and prevent the conditions that led to system crashes. The fix demonstrates the importance of regular security updates and kernel hardening practices in maintaining system stability and security. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical nature of kernel-level security flaws and the potential for seemingly minor memory management issues to result in significant system instability and security risks.