CVE-2015-3712 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
The NVIDIA graphics driver in Apple OS X before 10.10.4 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context or cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds write) via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3712 represents a critical security flaw within the NVIDIA graphics driver implementation on Apple operating systems. This issue affects macOS versions prior to 10.10.4 and demonstrates a classic out-of-bounds write vulnerability that can be exploited to achieve privilege escalation or system disruption. The flaw exists within the graphics driver component that interfaces between the hardware and the operating system, creating a potential attack vector that leverages the privileged execution context of graphics processing units. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be triggered through seemingly benign applications, making them difficult to detect and prevent through standard security measures. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the driver's memory management functions, where crafted applications can manipulate memory access patterns to write data beyond allocated buffer boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious application presents specially crafted graphics commands or data structures to the NVIDIA driver. This manipulation triggers an out-of-bounds write condition that can overwrite critical memory locations within the driver's execution context or potentially corrupt kernel memory regions. The flaw specifically relates to how the driver handles graphics processing instructions and memory allocation for graphics-related operations, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write data beyond intended memory limits. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, though the specific implementation details suggest it operates within heap memory management contexts typical of graphics driver software. The out-of-bounds write can result in arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges, effectively allowing attackers to bypass standard user-mode security controls and operate within the kernel's privileged execution environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3712 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system stability and data integrity concerns. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code with kernel-level privileges, enabling them to install rootkits, modify system files, or establish persistent backdoors within the operating system. The denial of service aspect of this vulnerability can cause system crashes or lockups, potentially leading to complete system unavailability during critical operations. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where graphics-intensive applications are common, as attackers can exploit it through legitimate software installations or malicious applications masquerading as legitimate utilities. The impact is further amplified by the fact that graphics drivers typically run with elevated privileges and maintain direct hardware access, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking persistent system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require special user privileges beyond normal application execution, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered by ordinary user applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3712 primarily focus on system updates and driver management protocols. The most effective immediate solution involves updating to macOS 10.10.4 or later versions where Apple has implemented patches addressing the buffer overflow conditions within the NVIDIA graphics driver. System administrators should prioritize patch deployment across all affected macOS installations and monitor for any potential exploitation attempts through security information and event management systems. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted graphics-related applications, enabling kernel address space layout randomization to complicate exploitation attempts, and monitoring for unusual graphics driver behavior or memory access patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts targeting graphics driver vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework as a privilege escalation technique highlights the need for comprehensive security monitoring that tracks elevation of privileges and kernel-level activity. Regular security assessments of graphics driver components and implementation of least privilege principles for graphics processing applications can significantly reduce the attack surface and potential impact of similar vulnerabilities.