CVE-2015-3706 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
IOAcceleratorFamily in Apple OS X before 10.10.4 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted app, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-3705.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3706 resides within the IOAcceleratorFamily component of Apple's operating system, specifically affecting versions prior to 10.10.4. This kernel extension serves as a critical interface for graphics processing and hardware acceleration, making it a prime target for privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability manifests through improper input validation mechanisms that fail to adequately sanitize data structures passed to the kernel, creating a pathway for malicious code execution. Security researchers have classified this issue as a memory corruption vulnerability that can be exploited by crafted applications to gain elevated privileges or disrupt system operations.
The technical flaw within IOAcceleratorFamily stems from insufficient bounds checking and memory management practices during the processing of accelerator commands. When an application submits specially crafted requests to the IOAcceleratorFamily driver, the kernel fails to properly validate the size and content of these commands, leading to potential buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions. This memory corruption occurs within kernel space, where malicious actors can leverage the vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it bypasses standard user-space security controls and can affect the integrity of the entire operating system.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3706 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as attackers can potentially cause system instability through denial of service conditions or establish persistent backdoors. This vulnerability represents a critical threat vector for attackers seeking to compromise Apple systems, particularly in environments where users may inadvertently execute malicious applications. The attack surface is broad since the vulnerability can be triggered through legitimate application execution, making detection and prevention challenging. System administrators and security professionals must understand that this vulnerability operates at a fundamental level of the operating system, potentially allowing attackers to bypass traditional security mechanisms such as sandboxing and code signing enforcement.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3706 primarily focus on applying the official security patches released by Apple, which address the underlying memory corruption issues within IOAcceleratorFamily. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all systems receive timely updates, particularly given the privilege escalation capabilities of this vulnerability. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for suspicious kernel activity, implementing application whitelisting policies, and conducting regular security assessments of system configurations. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Local Privilege Escalation', and CWE-121, which addresses 'Stack-based Buffer Overflow'. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of kernel-level security controls and the necessity for robust input validation mechanisms in system drivers, as it represents a classic example of how improper memory management can create persistent security weaknesses in operating system components.