CVE-2015-3678 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
AppleThunderboltEDMService in Apple OS X before 10.10.4 allows local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified Thunderbolt commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3678 resides within Apple's ThunderboltEDMService component of macOS operating systems prior to version 10.10.4. This service operates as a critical subsystem responsible for managing Thunderbolt device connections and related administrative functions within the operating system. The flaw manifests in how the service processes incoming Thunderbolt commands, creating a potential pathway for malicious actors to exploit system resources. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-119, which addresses improper restriction of operations within a memory buffer, indicating that the service fails to properly validate or sanitize input data received through Thunderbolt communication channels.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the ThunderboltEDMService. When legitimate Thunderbolt commands are received from connected devices, the service does not adequately verify the integrity or bounds of these commands before processing them in memory. This oversight allows an attacker with physical access to a target system to craft malicious Thunderbolt commands that can trigger memory corruption issues. The flaw operates at a low system level where the service maintains direct control over memory allocation and manipulation, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited to either escalate privileges to root level access or to induce system crashes through controlled memory corruption. The vulnerability's exploitation requires local access to the target system and physical presence to connect malicious Thunderbolt devices, but the potential impact extends beyond simple denial of service to include privilege escalation capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3678 represents a significant security risk for macOS environments, particularly those with physical access controls that may be compromised. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing standard user access controls and system security measures. The memory corruption aspect of the vulnerability can also lead to system instability and crashes, creating opportunities for persistent denial of service conditions that could disrupt business operations. Organizations running macOS versions prior to 10.10.4 face particular risk given that the vulnerability exists in the core system services that manage hardware connections, making it difficult to isolate and contain. The attack vector through Thunderbolt connections means that physical security measures become critical, as the vulnerability can be exploited through seemingly legitimate hardware connections that are often permitted in enterprise environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3678 primarily focus on immediate system updates and operational security measures. The most effective solution involves upgrading affected macOS systems to version 10.10.4 or later, where Apple has implemented proper input validation mechanisms within the ThunderboltEDMService. System administrators should also implement strict physical access controls to prevent unauthorized individuals from connecting potentially malicious Thunderbolt devices to target systems. Network security policies should include disabling Thunderbolt ports when not actively required for operations, and organizations should consider implementing hardware-based security measures such as Thunderbolt port locking or cryptographic verification of connected devices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and defense evasion through system service manipulation, making it particularly concerning for organizations that may be subject to advanced persistent threat campaigns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining current system patches and implementing comprehensive security monitoring to detect anomalous Thunderbolt device connections that could indicate exploitation attempts.