CVE-2015-7076 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
The Intel Graphics Driver component in Apple OS X before 10.11.2 allows local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7076 represents a critical security flaw within the Intel Graphics Driver component of Apple's operating system ecosystem. This issue affects Apple OS X versions prior to 10.11.2, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability manifests through unspecified vectors that allow local users to either escalate their privileges or execute denial of service attacks through NULL pointer dereference mechanisms. Such vulnerabilities in graphics drivers are particularly concerning because they often operate with elevated privileges and can be leveraged to bypass standard security controls. The Intel Graphics Driver component serves as a crucial interface between the operating system and hardware graphics processing units, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit system-level weaknesses.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the graphics driver code, specifically related to how NULL pointers are handled during certain operational sequences. When the driver encounters malformed or unexpected input data, it fails to properly validate pointer references before attempting to dereference them, leading to a NULL pointer dereference condition. This type of flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-476, which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference vulnerabilities. The operating system's graphics subsystem typically runs with elevated privileges to ensure proper hardware access, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could be exploited to gain unauthorized access to system resources or disrupt normal system operations. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple attack paths exist within the driver's implementation, potentially including various API calls or hardware interaction sequences.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation or denial of service scenarios. Local users who can exploit this weakness gain significant control over system resources that are typically protected from unauthorized access. This capability allows for potential data exfiltration, system compromise, or the establishment of persistent backdoors within the operating environment. The denial of service aspect can result in complete system instability, requiring manual intervention or system restarts to restore normal operations. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability represents an ideal entry point for privilege escalation attacks, as graphics drivers often operate with higher privileges than standard user applications. The attack surface is further expanded because graphics drivers frequently handle complex multimedia operations that require extensive system resources and memory management.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7076 primarily focus on immediate system updates and patches provided by Apple. The most effective solution involves upgrading to Apple OS X version 10.11.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to address the NULL pointer dereference issue. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary graphics driver functionality, implementing strict access controls, and monitoring for unusual system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper software development practices, particularly in areas related to input validation and memory management. Organizations should consider implementing runtime application self-protection mechanisms and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities within their software ecosystems. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date system components and the potential risks associated with legacy software in enterprise environments.
The broader implications of this vulnerability extend to the security posture of macOS systems and highlight the interconnected nature of modern operating system security. Graphics drivers represent a complex subsystem that interfaces directly with hardware components, creating unique attack vectors that differ from traditional software vulnerabilities. The specific nature of this flaw aligns with ATT&CK framework technique T1068, which addresses privilege escalation through exploitation of system vulnerabilities. Organizations should consider implementing layered security approaches that include network monitoring, endpoint detection systems, and regular vulnerability assessments to protect against similar issues. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of vendor security response capabilities and the need for timely patch distribution to protect users from known exploits. This particular vulnerability serves as a reminder that even seemingly specialized components like graphics drivers can contain fundamental security flaws that impact overall system integrity and user data protection.