CVE-2015-5864 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
IOAudioFamily in Apple OS X before 10.11 allows local users to obtain sensitive kernel memory-layout information via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5864 resides within the IOAudioFamily component of Apple's operating system, specifically affecting versions prior to macOS 10.11. This issue represents a significant information disclosure flaw that enables local attackers to extract sensitive kernel memory layout details. The IOAudioFamily serves as a core audio subsystem component responsible for managing audio hardware interfaces and driver communications within the kernel space, making it a critical target for exploitation. The vulnerability manifests through unspecified vectors that allow unauthorized access to kernel memory structures, potentially exposing architectural details that could aid in subsequent exploitation attempts.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which categorizes information exposure flaws where sensitive data is unintentionally made available to unauthorized actors. The flaw operates at the kernel level where the IOAudioFamily module fails to properly restrict access to memory layout information that should remain protected from user-space processes. This type of information disclosure can reveal critical details about memory segmentation, kernel base addresses, and other architectural elements that are typically hidden from normal application execution contexts. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple attack pathways exist within the audio subsystem's memory management routines, potentially through improper handling of audio device queries or driver interface communications.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for local attackers who can leverage the leaked memory information to bypass kernel address space layout randomization defenses. The exposure of kernel memory layouts undermines fundamental security mechanisms designed to prevent exploitation techniques such as return-oriented programming attacks and arbitrary code execution. Attackers can use the leaked information to craft more sophisticated exploits that target specific kernel memory regions, potentially leading to privilege escalation or complete system compromise. The local nature of the vulnerability means that any user account with access to the system can potentially trigger the information disclosure, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments or when system integrity is compromised.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate information disclosure to enable more advanced attack vectors that align with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework. Specifically, the leaked memory information can facilitate techniques categorized under privilege escalation and defense evasion, where attackers use the exposed kernel details to bypass security controls such as kernel page table isolation or other memory protection mechanisms. Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as part of a broader class of kernel-level information disclosure issues that can serve as precursors to more serious exploits. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper kernel memory management and access control within audio subsystems, where components often require extensive interaction with hardware interfaces and may inadvertently expose sensitive information through improper privilege handling.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5864 primarily focus on upgrading to macOS 10.11 or later versions where Apple implemented proper access controls and memory protection mechanisms within the IOAudioFamily component. System administrators should ensure that all audio-related services and drivers are properly updated and that unnecessary audio device access is restricted. Additional protective measures include implementing kernel extension signing requirements, monitoring for unusual audio subsystem access patterns, and maintaining regular system updates to address similar vulnerabilities in other kernel components. The vulnerability underscores the importance of comprehensive kernel security auditing and proper privilege separation within system components that interface directly with hardware, particularly those handling audio and multimedia processing functions that require extensive kernel-level interaction.