CVE-2015-5871 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
IOGraphics in Apple OS X before 10.11 allows local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-5872, CVE-2015-5873, and CVE-2015-5890.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5871 affects the IOGraphics framework within Apple's macOS operating system versions prior to 10.11. This represents a critical security flaw within the kernel-level graphics subsystem that handles graphics processing and display management. The IOGraphics framework serves as a foundational component for graphics hardware abstraction and driver management, making it a prime target for privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability manifests through unspecified attack vectors that allow local attackers to exploit memory corruption issues within this graphics processing subsystem. Unlike other related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2015-5872, CVE-2015-5873, and CVE-2015-5890, CVE-2015-5871 presents a distinct exploitation pathway that specifically targets the graphics driver infrastructure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves memory corruption within the IOGraphics framework, which can be triggered through malicious input or manipulation of graphics-related system calls. This type of flaw typically arises from improper bounds checking, use-after-free conditions, or buffer overflow scenarios within kernel-space code. When exploited, the memory corruption can result in arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges or cause system instability leading to denial of service conditions. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple system crashes as it provides potential pathways for local users to escalate their privileges from standard user level to system administrator level, effectively bypassing security mechanisms designed to protect system integrity. The exploitation requires local system access but does not necessitate network connectivity, making it particularly dangerous in environments where local access is possible.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to macOS systems running versions before 10.11, as it can be leveraged by malicious actors with local access to compromise system security. The memory corruption issues can lead to unpredictable system behavior, application crashes, and potential data loss. Organizations utilizing macOS systems should be particularly concerned about this vulnerability as it can be exploited by insiders or attackers who have gained local access through other means. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions. These weaknesses are commonly exploited in kernel-level attacks and represent fundamental flaws in memory management that can be leveraged for privilege escalation. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through kernel exploits.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate deployment of Apple's security updates for macOS 10.11 and later versions, which contain patches addressing the memory corruption issues within the IOGraphics framework. System administrators should prioritize patch management processes to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary updates. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of local exploitation attempts. Monitoring for unusual system behavior or memory-related errors should be part of standard security operations procedures. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting and privilege separation mechanisms to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability highlights the importance of kernel security and the need for regular security assessments of system components that handle hardware abstraction and driver management functions.