CVE-2015-3671 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Admin Framework in Apple OS X before 10.10.4 does not properly verify XPC entitlements, which allows local users to bypass authentication and obtain admin privileges via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3671 represents a critical authorization flaw within Apple's operating system administration framework affecting versions prior to macOS 10.10.4. This issue resides in the XPC (Cross-Process Communication) mechanism that serves as a fundamental component for inter-process communication in macOS, enabling applications to communicate with system services and perform administrative tasks. The flaw manifests in the improper verification of entitlements, which are permissions granted to applications that define their capabilities and access levels within the system. When entitlement verification fails, it creates a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's trust model and escalate their privileges from standard user level to administrative status.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors that leverage the flawed XPC entitlement checking process. XPC services typically require specific entitlements to perform administrative operations, but the vulnerability allows local users to bypass these checks by manipulating the communication flow or by presenting forged entitlement information. This represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability where the system's access control mechanisms are circumvented, enabling unauthorized code execution with elevated privileges. The flaw operates at the kernel level or deep system service layer, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring network access or external attack vectors. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control issues, and falls under the broader category of privilege escalation weaknesses that undermine the fundamental security model of operating systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3671 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, creating a significant security risk for macOS environments. Local attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain complete administrative control over affected systems, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, or further network infiltration. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where multiple users share systems or where the operating system serves as a foundation for critical business applications. Once an attacker achieves administrative privileges, they can install malicious software, modify system files, monitor user activities, and establish persistent access points. This vulnerability also represents a significant concern for security compliance, as it could violate various regulatory requirements that mandate proper access controls and privilege management. The attack surface is broad since local access is sufficient for exploitation, making it particularly dangerous in shared or public computing environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3671 primarily focus on immediate system updates and configuration hardening measures. The most effective solution involves upgrading to macOS 10.10.4 or later versions where Apple has implemented proper entitlement verification mechanisms for XPC services. System administrators should prioritize patch deployment across all affected systems, particularly in environments where local privilege escalation poses a significant risk. Additional mitigations include implementing strict user access controls, monitoring system logs for unusual administrative activities, and employing security tools that can detect unauthorized privilege escalation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege, ensuring that users maintain only the minimum necessary permissions to perform their duties. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can be detected through behavioral analysis that monitors for unusual XPC communication patterns or unauthorized administrative command execution. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper entitlement management and demonstrates how seemingly minor flaws in system service communication can create significant security risks.