CVE-2015-3696 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the Intel Graphics Driver in Apple OS X before 10.10.4 allows local users to gain privileges via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-3695, CVE-2015-3697, CVE-2015-3698, CVE-2015-3699, CVE-2015-3700, CVE-2015-3701, and CVE-2015-3702.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3696 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Intel Graphics Driver component of Apple's macOS operating system. This issue affects versions prior to 10.10.4 and specifically targets the graphics subsystem that handles rendering operations for both 2D and 3D graphics processing. The vulnerability resides in the kernel-level graphics driver code that manages hardware acceleration for Intel graphics processors, creating a potential pathway for privilege escalation attacks. Unlike other related vulnerabilities in the same advisory set, this particular flaw demonstrates distinct characteristics in its exploitation vectors and underlying technical implementation.
The technical flaw manifests as a buffer overflow condition within the graphics driver's memory management routines when processing certain graphics commands or rendering operations. This overflow occurs during the handling of specific graphics primitives or texture operations that involve insufficient bounds checking or inadequate input validation. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the kernel space of the operating system, where memory corruption can lead to arbitrary code execution with the highest privileges available to the system. The buffer overflow allows an attacker to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially including function pointers, return addresses, or other control structures that govern the execution flow of the graphics driver.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant security implications for macOS systems running affected versions. Local attackers who can execute code on the target system can leverage this flaw to escalate their privileges from standard user level to root access, effectively gaining complete control over the affected machine. The attack surface is broad as the graphics driver is actively used for normal system operations, making exploitation potentially accessible through various legitimate applications that utilize hardware acceleration. The vulnerability's location within the kernel graphics subsystem means that successful exploitation could lead to persistent system compromise, as the attacker would gain access to all system resources and data without requiring additional attack vectors or user interaction.
The security implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation, as this vulnerability aligns with multiple tactics described in the ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms. The CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) classification for this vulnerability would likely fall under CWE-121, which describes Stack-based Buffer Overflow, or CWE-122, which covers Heap-based Buffer Overflow, depending on the specific implementation details of the memory corruption. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to macOS 10.10.4 or later versions where the vulnerability has been patched by Apple. System administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary graphics acceleration features when possible and monitoring for unusual graphics-related processes or memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.
Additional protective measures include implementing kernel extension quarantine policies, monitoring system logs for unusual graphics driver behavior, and ensuring that all system updates are applied promptly. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of kernel-level security in modern operating systems where graphics drivers represent a critical attack surface due to their privileged execution context and direct hardware access capabilities. Organizations should also consider conducting vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected macOS versions and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. The patch provided by Apple addresses the root cause by implementing proper bounds checking and memory management controls within the graphics driver code, preventing the buffer overflow condition from occurring during graphics processing operations.