CVE-2015-6980 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Directory Utility in Apple OS X before 10.11.1 mishandles authentication for new sessions, which allows local users to gain privileges via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6980 resides within Apple's Directory Utility component of macOS operating systems prior to version 10.11.1. This critical flaw manifests in the improper handling of authentication processes for new user sessions, creating a significant security weakness that can be exploited by local attackers to escalate their privileges within the system. The vulnerability specifically affects the manner in which the Directory Utility manages session authentication, potentially allowing unauthorized users to bypass normal access controls and gain elevated system privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation and management of authentication tokens or session identifiers within the Directory Utility framework. When new sessions are established, the system fails to properly verify or enforce authentication boundaries, creating opportunities for privilege escalation attacks. This flaw operates at the system level within the macOS security architecture, specifically targeting the directory services and authentication mechanisms that govern user access to system resources. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple attack paths may exist, potentially including manipulation of session state, exploitation of race conditions, or improper handling of authentication credentials during session initialization.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk to macOS environments as local users who can execute code on the affected systems can leverage this flaw to gain administrative privileges. The attack requires local system access but does not necessitate network connectivity or complex external exploitation methods, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical access or legitimate user accounts may be compromised. The privilege escalation capability allows attackers to potentially access sensitive system files, modify security configurations, install malicious software, or exfiltrate confidential data. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and undermines the integrity of the macOS security model, potentially affecting enterprise environments where multiple users share systems or where system administrators need to maintain strict access controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-6980 primarily involve upgrading to macOS version 10.11.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the authentication handling issues within Directory Utility. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive the security updates promptly. Additional defensive measures include monitoring system logs for unusual authentication patterns or privilege escalation attempts, implementing strict access controls for local user accounts, and conducting regular security assessments of directory services configuration. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and represents a specific instance of privilege escalation through authentication bypass mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege for local accounts, disabling unnecessary services, and maintaining detailed audit trails to detect potential exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the use of system-level authentication flaws to gain elevated privileges. Regular security monitoring and vulnerability assessment programs should include checks for this specific vulnerability to ensure comprehensive protection against local privilege escalation attacks.