CVE-2016-1792 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
The AMD subsystem in Apple OS X before 10.11.5 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1792 represents a critical security flaw within the AMD graphics subsystem of Apple's macOS operating system. This issue affects versions prior to macOS 10.11.5 and stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the graphics driver components. The vulnerability manifests through improper handling of crafted applications that can manipulate the graphics processing unit's memory structures, creating opportunities for malicious code execution or system instability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it within the category of memory corruption flaws, specifically affecting kernel-level components responsible for graphics processing. Attackers can exploit this weakness by developing or distributing malicious applications that trigger specific memory access patterns within the AMD graphics driver. The flaw occurs when the system fails to properly validate memory allocations or handle buffer operations during graphics processing tasks, leading to potential privilege escalation or system crashes. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions in memory management.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1792 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This privilege escalation capability allows malicious actors to bypass standard security controls and potentially gain complete system control. The vulnerability affects all users running affected macOS versions, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple systems may be exposed to similar risks. System administrators face challenges in mitigating this issue without disrupting legitimate graphics operations, as the vulnerability exists within core system drivers that are essential for normal computing functions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates to macOS 10.11.5 or later versions where Apple has implemented proper memory validation and bounds checking within the AMD graphics subsystem. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as application whitelisting to prevent execution of untrusted graphics applications and monitoring for unusual memory allocation patterns. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting kernel-level attacks that leverage memory corruption flaws. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify systems running vulnerable macOS versions and prioritize remediation efforts. Regular patch management procedures become critical in preventing exploitation of similar vulnerabilities, as this flaw demonstrates the importance of timely security updates in maintaining system integrity.