CVE-2015-5890 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-2015-5872, and CVE-2015-5873.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5890 resides within the IOGraphics framework of Apple's macOS operating system, affecting versions prior to 10.11. This issue represents a critical security flaw that demonstrates the complex nature of graphics driver vulnerabilities within operating system kernels. The IOGraphics subsystem serves as a fundamental component responsible for managing graphics hardware interfaces and display operations, making it a prime target for privilege escalation attacks due to its privileged execution context and direct hardware access capabilities. The vulnerability's classification as a local privilege escalation vector indicates that an attacker with limited user access could potentially leverage this flaw to execute code with elevated privileges, fundamentally compromising system security. Unlike other related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2015-5871 through CVE-2015-5873, CVE-2015-5890 presents distinct exploitation patterns that require specific conditions to be met for successful compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves memory corruption issues that occur within the IOGraphics kernel extension, which processes graphics-related data structures and hardware commands. When malicious input or malformed graphics data is processed through the affected subsystem, it triggers memory corruption that can be exploited to manipulate kernel memory layouts and potentially execute arbitrary code. This type of vulnerability typically stems from insufficient input validation, buffer overflows, or improper memory management within kernel-space code, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate execution flow or escalate privileges. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that multiple attack surfaces within the IOGraphics framework may be susceptible to similar memory corruption patterns, indicating a broader architectural weakness rather than a single point of failure. Such vulnerabilities often align with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, or CWE-122, which covers buffer overflow in kernel space code, both of which represent common attack vectors in operating system kernel modules.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5890 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system instability and complete compromise of affected systems. Local attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can execute code with kernel privileges, effectively bypassing all user-level security controls and access restrictions. This level of access enables attackers to modify system files, install persistent backdoors, monitor network traffic, and exfiltrate sensitive data without detection. The memory corruption nature of the vulnerability also introduces denial of service risks where system stability may be compromised through controlled crashes or memory exhaustion attacks. The presence of such vulnerabilities in graphics drivers is particularly concerning because these components often run with high privileges and handle complex data processing operations that are difficult to audit and secure. Additionally, the vulnerability's impact extends to enterprise environments where macOS systems may be used as servers or workstations, potentially providing attackers with persistent access to corporate networks and sensitive resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5890 primarily focus on immediate system updates and administrative controls to reduce attack surface exposure. Apple's release of macOS 10.11 included comprehensive patches addressing this vulnerability through improved input validation and memory management within the IOGraphics subsystem. System administrators should prioritize immediate deployment of security updates and ensure that all macOS installations are current with the latest security patches. Additional protective measures include implementing kernel extension restrictions, monitoring for suspicious kernel activity, and maintaining regular system integrity checks to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's nature aligns with ATT&CK technique T1056, which covers input validation and memory corruption attacks, and T1068, which involves privilege escalation through kernel exploits. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions capable of detecting unusual kernel-level activity and establishing incident response procedures specifically designed for kernel-level compromises. Given the complexity of graphics driver vulnerabilities, regular security assessments and code reviews of kernel extensions remain essential defensive measures against similar threats. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of securing kernel components and maintaining robust patch management processes to protect against sophisticated exploitation techniques targeting fundamental system infrastructure.