CVE-2015-5878 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Notes in Apple OS X before 10.11 misparses links, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5878 resides within Apple's OS X operating system, specifically affecting versions prior to 10.11. This issue manifests in the Notes application's handling of hyperlinks, creating a parsing flaw that can be exploited by local attackers to access sensitive information. The vulnerability operates at the application level within the system's note-taking functionality, where improperly processed link structures can reveal confidential data through unspecified attack vectors. This represents a critical security gap in the operating system's information protection mechanisms.
The technical flaw stems from improper parsing of hyperlinks within the Notes application's code execution flow. When the application processes certain link formats, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input data, allowing for information disclosure through memory access patterns or data structure manipulation. The vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation, and more specifically relates to CWE-215, which deals with information exposure through debug information. This parsing error creates a pathway for local privilege escalation and sensitive data extraction through the malformed link processing routines.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5878 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to confidential user data stored within the Notes application. Local users can exploit this vulnerability to extract sensitive information such as personal notes, contact details, and potentially system-related data that may have been embedded within the note structures. The attack vector requires local system access, making it particularly concerning for environments where multiple users share a single system or where administrative privileges are compromised. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as the exploitation may involve manipulating note content to trigger the parsing flaw.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve updating to Apple OS X version 10.11 or later, where the parsing logic has been corrected. System administrators should prioritize patch management to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary security updates. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted note files or links, particularly in environments where multiple users have access to shared systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in application development and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of all data processing functions within operating system components. Organizations should implement monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain updated threat intelligence to identify similar parsing vulnerabilities in other applications.