CVE-2015-3711 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
The NTFS implementation in Apple OS X before 10.10.4 allows attackers to obtain sensitive memory-layout information for the kernel via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3711 represents a significant information disclosure issue within Apple's operating system implementation of the NTFS file system. This flaw exists in Apple OS X versions prior to 10.10.4 and specifically targets the kernel memory layout information that should remain protected from unauthorized access. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management practices within the NTFS driver component that processes file system operations on NTFS volumes mounted within the macOS environment. Security researchers have classified this as a memory disclosure vulnerability that could potentially enable attackers to gain insights into kernel memory structures and organization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of crafted applications or file system operations that trigger specific code paths within the NTFS implementation. When an attacker presents a specially constructed application or file system element to the operating system, the NTFS driver fails to properly validate the input data, leading to unintended memory exposure. This memory disclosure can reveal critical information about kernel memory layout including address space organization, memory segment boundaries, and potentially other sensitive structural details that would normally be protected from user-space access. The flaw operates at the intersection of file system parsing and kernel memory management, where improper error handling allows memory contents to be inadvertently exposed to the calling application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked memory layout information could significantly aid attackers in developing more sophisticated exploits against the target system. An attacker with access to kernel memory addresses could potentially leverage this information to bypass kernel address space layout randomization protections, making subsequent exploitation attempts more reliable. This vulnerability particularly affects systems running macOS versions before 10.10.4 where the NTFS implementation lacked proper memory boundary checking and input sanitization. The issue represents a classic example of how file system drivers can become attack vectors when they fail to properly validate and sanitize input data, creating opportunities for memory corruption and information leakage.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses the improper exposure of sensitive information, and demonstrates how kernel-level file system implementations can create attack surfaces that compromise system security. The flaw also intersects with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and information gathering, as the memory disclosure could be used as a stepping stone for more advanced attacks. Organizations should consider implementing comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all macOS systems receive the necessary updates that address this vulnerability. The fix included in OS X 10.10.4 properly validates input data within the NTFS implementation and ensures that kernel memory boundaries are respected during file system operations. System administrators should prioritize deployment of the security update and conduct thorough testing to ensure compatibility with existing NTFS-based workflows and applications.