CVE-2015-7019 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
The NVIDIA driver in the Graphics Drivers subsystem in Apple OS X before 10.11.1 allows local users to obtain sensitive information from kernel memory or cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read and system crash) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-7020.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7019 represents a critical security flaw within the NVIDIA graphics driver implementation in Apple's macOS operating system prior to version 10.11.1. This issue resides within the Graphics Drivers subsystem and demonstrates the complex nature of kernel-level vulnerabilities that can significantly impact system stability and security. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the graphics driver component, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by local users with minimal privileges. The flaw specifically manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition that can lead to information disclosure or system instability, highlighting the dangerous implications of kernel memory corruption vulnerabilities. Such vulnerabilities are particularly concerning because they operate at the core level of the operating system where they can access sensitive kernel memory structures and potentially expose confidential information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the NVIDIA graphics driver failing to properly validate memory access patterns when processing graphics-related commands or data structures. This results in unauthorized memory reads that can access kernel memory regions containing sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, user credentials, or system configuration details. The out-of-bounds read condition occurs when the driver attempts to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries, potentially causing system crashes or allowing attackers to extract information from adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations. The vulnerability's classification aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' through kernel exploits, though in this case the local user context provides a more limited attack surface compared to remote exploitation scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7019 extends beyond simple information disclosure to include potential system instability and denial of service conditions that can severely impact user productivity and system availability. When the out-of-bounds read occurs, it can cause the graphics driver to crash, resulting in system hangs or complete system crashes that require manual restarts. This disruption can be particularly problematic in enterprise environments where system uptime is critical for business operations. The vulnerability's potential for information disclosure creates additional security concerns as attackers could potentially extract sensitive data from kernel memory, including system configuration parameters, encryption keys, or other confidential information that could be leveraged for further attacks. The fact that this vulnerability exists in the graphics driver subsystem means that even routine graphics operations could serve as attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through normal system usage rather than requiring specific malicious actions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7019 primarily focus on updating to the patched version of macOS 10.11.1 or later, which addresses the underlying memory handling issues in the NVIDIA graphics driver implementation. System administrators should prioritize applying this update across all affected macOS systems to eliminate the vulnerability exposure. Additional defensive measures include implementing kernel memory protection mechanisms and monitoring for unusual graphics driver behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's nature as a local privilege escalation vector means that users should maintain proper access controls and avoid running untrusted code with elevated privileges. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit potential lateral movement if an attacker were to successfully exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process should include thorough testing of graphics functionality after applying the update to ensure that the driver operates correctly and that no regressions have been introduced. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual system crashes or memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where graphics-intensive applications are commonly used.