CVE-2016-1795 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
AppleGraphicsPowerManagement 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.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1795 resides within AppleGraphicsPowerManagement, a critical component of Apple's operating system that manages graphics hardware power states and related functions. This flaw affects Apple OS X versions prior to 10.11.5, representing a significant security weakness that could be exploited by malicious actors to gain elevated privileges or disrupt system operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the dangerous potential of kernel-level components to serve as entry points for sophisticated attacks targeting the core operating system functionality.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves memory corruption that occurs when AppleGraphicsPowerManagement processes specially crafted applications. This memory corruption vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the system's graphics power management functionality in ways that could lead to arbitrary code execution within a privileged context. The flaw essentially provides an attacker with the ability to bypass normal security boundaries and execute malicious code with elevated privileges typically reserved for system-level processes. This represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability where user-level applications can be leveraged to gain root access or system-level control.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1795 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the vulnerability enables full system compromise through arbitrary code execution. Attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to install persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy additional malware payloads without requiring user interaction or elevated privileges initially. The memory corruption aspect of the vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous because it can lead to unpredictable system behavior, crashes, or complete system compromise depending on how the corrupted memory is utilized by the attacker. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of affected systems, making it a high-priority concern for enterprise environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1795 primarily involve immediate system updates to Apple OS X 10.11.5 or later versions where the vulnerability has been patched. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additional protective measures include monitoring system logs for unusual graphics power management activity, implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized applications from executing, and maintaining network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-122, which addresses heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers exploit for privilege escalation. System administrators should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify anomalous behavior patterns consistent with memory corruption attacks targeting graphics subsystems.