CVE-2015-3698 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-2015-3696, CVE-2015-3697, CVE-2015-3699, CVE-2015-3700, CVE-2015-3701, and CVE-2015-3702.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3698 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 driver subsystem that manages Intel graphics hardware integration. The vulnerability resides in the kernel-level graphics driver code that handles graphics processing commands and data structures, creating a potential pathway for privilege escalation attacks. The flaw is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level where malicious code can leverage elevated privileges to execute arbitrary code with system-level access. Unlike other related vulnerabilities in the same CVE family, this particular buffer overflow demonstrates distinct characteristics in its exploitation vectors and attack surface.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs within the Intel Graphics Driver's memory management functions, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations in the kernel space. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. The vulnerability's exploitation requires local user access and leverages the graphics driver's handling of malformed graphics commands or data structures that are processed within kernel memory. Attackers can craft specific graphics operations that cause the driver to write beyond allocated buffer boundaries, potentially overwriting critical kernel data structures or function pointers. The exploitation process typically involves careful crafting of graphics operations that trigger the overflow condition during driver processing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with the ability to execute code with kernel-level privileges, effectively compromising the entire system security posture. Once successfully exploited, an attacker can bypass standard user-level security controls and gain complete system control, including the ability to install malware, modify system files, and access all user data. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and undermines the kernel's memory protection mechanisms that are fundamental to operating system security. The attack surface is particularly broad since graphics processing is a common system function that applications frequently utilize, making this vulnerability potentially exploitable through various legitimate graphics applications. The vulnerability also has implications for system stability and integrity, as the buffer overflow can cause system crashes or unpredictable behavior when exploited.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3698 focus primarily on applying the official Apple security updates that patch the graphics driver implementation. Users should immediately upgrade to macOS 10.10.4 or later versions where the vulnerability has been addressed through improved bounds checking and memory management within the Intel Graphics Driver. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management policies to ensure all macOS systems receive timely security updates. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for suspicious graphics processing activities and implementing kernel extension whitelisting policies where feasible. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of kernel-level security testing and the need for robust memory safety mechanisms in system drivers. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attack vectors and reduce the impact of successful exploitation attempts. This vulnerability underscores the critical need for regular security assessments of kernel components and the implementation of automated vulnerability scanning tools to identify similar memory corruption issues in graphics drivers and other system-level software components.