CVE-2015-5877 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
The Intel Graphics Driver component 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-2015-5830.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5877 represents a critical security flaw within the Intel Graphics Driver component of Apple's macOS operating system, specifically affecting versions prior to 10.11. This issue falls under the category of privilege escalation and denial of service vulnerabilities that can be exploited by local attackers with existing system access. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the graphics driver subsystem, creating opportunities for malicious code execution and system instability. The flaw is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level within the graphics driver, providing attackers with a potential pathway to elevate their privileges from standard user level to administrative access. Unlike CVE-2015-5830 which addressed different aspects of the graphics driver, CVE-2015-5877 specifically targets memory corruption vulnerabilities that can be triggered through unspecified attack vectors within the graphics processing subsystem. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-119, which deals with improper restriction of operations within a memory buffer, and represents a significant concern for system security and stability. The vulnerability allows for both privilege escalation and denial of service conditions, making it particularly dangerous in environments where local access is possible.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves memory corruption issues within the Intel Graphics Driver component that processes graphics-related requests from user applications. When legitimate graphics operations are performed, the driver fails to properly validate input parameters, leading to potential buffer overflows or memory corruption scenarios. Attackers can exploit these conditions by crafting malicious graphics operations that trigger the memory corruption, which may result in arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service as it provides potential privilege escalation capabilities, allowing attackers to execute code with higher system privileges than initially granted. This memory corruption can occur through various graphics operations including but not limited to rendering commands, texture processing, or display configuration changes. The attack surface is broadened because graphics drivers are frequently accessed by multiple applications and system processes, creating numerous potential entry points for exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5877 is substantial for organizations running affected macOS versions, as it creates opportunities for persistent security breaches and system compromise. Local attackers who already have access to a system can leverage this vulnerability to escalate their privileges, potentially gaining root access or administrative control over the affected machine. The denial of service component can be used to disrupt normal system operations by causing graphics-related applications to crash or the entire system to become unstable. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where multiple users may have local access to systems, as it provides a mechanism for attackers to establish persistent access. The risk is compounded by the fact that graphics drivers are often updated less frequently than other system components, leaving systems vulnerable for extended periods. Organizations may experience operational disruptions when system stability is compromised, and the privilege escalation capability can lead to data breaches or system-wide compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5877 should prioritize immediate system updates to macOS 10.11 or later versions where the vulnerability has been addressed. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary security updates. Additional protective measures include monitoring system logs for unusual graphics-related activity or system crashes that may indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and least privilege access controls can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation by preventing lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation', highlights the importance of monitoring for privilege escalation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict graphics-related applications from executing potentially malicious code. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be performed to identify any remaining systems that may not have received the necessary patches. The remediation process should include thorough testing of updated systems to ensure that the patches do not introduce compatibility issues with existing applications or hardware configurations.