CVE-2015-3702 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-2015-3698, CVE-2015-3699, CVE-2015-3700, and CVE-2015-3701.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3702 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Intel Graphics Driver component of Apple's operating system ecosystem. This issue affects macOS versions prior to 10.10.4 and demonstrates the inherent risks associated with graphics driver software that operates with elevated privileges. The vulnerability exists within the kernel extension responsible for managing Intel graphics hardware, creating a potential attack surface where malicious code could exploit memory corruption to escalate privileges from standard user level to root access. The flaw specifically manifests during the processing of graphics-related operations, making it particularly dangerous as graphics drivers often run with high privileges to ensure proper hardware functionality and system performance.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from inadequate input validation within the graphics driver's kernel code. When the driver processes certain graphics commands or data structures, it fails to properly bounds-check memory allocations, allowing attackers to write beyond allocated buffer boundaries. This memory corruption can be leveraged to overwrite critical kernel data structures, function pointers, or return addresses, ultimately enabling arbitrary code execution with system-level privileges. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-121 buffer overflow indicates a fundamental flaw in memory management where insufficient bounds checking permits data to be written beyond the boundaries of allocated memory regions. The attack vector requires local execution privileges, meaning an attacker must already have a user account on the system, but the successful exploitation results in privilege escalation that bypasses standard security boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3702 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it fundamentally undermines the security model of macOS systems. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain complete system control without requiring physical access or network-based attacks, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where user accounts may be compromised through social engineering or other attack vectors. The vulnerability's relationship to other CVEs in the same timeframe, while distinct from the specific vectors mentioned, suggests a pattern of graphics driver security weaknesses that affect Intel's implementation within Apple's ecosystem. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 privilege escalation through kernel exploits, where attackers leverage driver-level flaws to gain unauthorized access to system resources. The exploitation process typically involves crafting malicious graphics operations that trigger the buffer overflow condition, followed by careful manipulation of memory layout to achieve code execution in kernel space.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3702 primarily focus on applying Apple's official security updates, specifically macOS 10.10.4 and subsequent releases that contain patches addressing the buffer overflow conditions. System administrators should prioritize patch deployment across all affected macOS installations, particularly in enterprise environments where the risk of compromise is higher. Additional defensive measures include implementing kernel extension quarantine policies, monitoring for unusual graphics driver behavior, and maintaining regular security assessments of system components. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices in kernel-level software development, emphasizing the need for comprehensive input validation and memory management techniques. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while also maintaining robust backup and recovery procedures to address potential system compromise scenarios. The remediation process requires careful consideration of compatibility issues with legacy applications that may depend on older graphics driver functionality, ensuring that security updates do not inadvertently disrupt critical business operations.