CVE-2015-5872 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-2015-5871, CVE-2015-5873, and CVE-2015-5890.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5872 affects the IOGraphics framework within Apple's operating system, specifically impacting versions prior to macOS 10.11. This issue resides within the graphics I/O subsystem that manages hardware graphics interfaces and driver communications, making it a critical component in the system's security architecture. The vulnerability represents a privilege escalation weakness that could potentially allow local attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, while simultaneously presenting risks for denial of service conditions through memory corruption exploits. The IOGraphics framework serves as a crucial interface between the operating system kernel and graphics hardware, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise system integrity and stability.
Technical analysis reveals that the vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within the IOGraphics subsystem's handling of graphics-related data structures. Attackers can exploit this weakness through unspecified vectors that likely involve crafted graphics commands or driver interactions that trigger memory corruption in kernel space. The flaw allows for arbitrary code execution in kernel context, which provides attackers with the capability to escalate privileges from standard user level to root access, effectively bypassing the operating system's security boundaries. This type of vulnerability typically manifests through buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or improper memory deallocation patterns that are common in kernel-level graphics drivers and I/O management components.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5872 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system instability and complete compromise of affected systems. Local attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain full administrative control over the target machine, enabling them to install malicious software, modify system files, access sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors. The denial of service component of the vulnerability means that even unsuccessful exploitation attempts could crash the graphics subsystem or entire operating system, creating availability issues that could be leveraged for disruption attacks. Given that IOGraphics operates at kernel level and interfaces directly with hardware, the implications of such a vulnerability are particularly severe as they can bypass standard user-mode security controls and protections.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5872 primarily focus on immediate system updates and patch management, with Apple releasing macOS 10.11 and subsequent updates that address the underlying memory corruption issues. System administrators should prioritize deployment of the official security patches and ensure all affected systems receive the necessary updates. Additional protective measures include implementing strict access controls to limit local user privileges, monitoring for unusual graphics-related system activity, and maintaining comprehensive system monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider applying the principle of least privilege and regularly audit system configurations to minimize the attack surface. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and may relate to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and execution of malicious code in kernel space. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of kernel-level security testing and proper memory management practices in operating system development, particularly within graphics and I/O subsystems that handle sensitive hardware interactions.