CVE-2016-1799 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Audio 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.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1799 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple's macOS operating system affecting versions prior to 10.11.5. This issue resides in the audio processing subsystem and demonstrates how seemingly benign application components can serve as entry points for sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the audio handling mechanisms that process crafted audio applications, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit memory management errors. The flaw specifically affects the core audio framework that manages audio data processing and playback operations across the operating system.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious application attempts to manipulate audio data structures in ways that trigger buffer overflows or other memory corruption conditions. The attack vector involves crafting a specially designed application that leverages the audio processing pipeline to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This occurs because the system fails to properly validate audio data inputs before processing them within kernel-level components. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition, where the audio subsystem reads memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially leading to privilege escalation or system instability. The memory corruption manifests when audio processing routines handle malformed data structures that cause the system to jump to arbitrary memory locations or overwrite critical system components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and denial of service conditions. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute code in a privileged context, effectively gaining root access to the affected system and potentially establishing persistent backdoors. The memory corruption can also result in system crashes or reboots, creating denial of service scenarios that disrupt legitimate user operations. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves local privilege escalation through kernel exploits, and T1059 which covers execution through legitimate system processes. The attack surface is particularly concerning as audio applications are commonly used and may be trusted by users, making social engineering components of the attack more effective.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1799 primarily focus on immediate system updates and operational security measures. The most effective solution involves applying Apple's official security patches and updating to macOS 10.11.5 or later versions where the vulnerability has been addressed through improved input validation and memory management controls. System administrators should implement application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted audio applications and monitor for suspicious audio processing activities. Network-level defenses should include intrusion detection systems configured to identify unusual audio processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of running untrusted applications and the importance of keeping their systems updated with the latest security patches. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining current system security configurations and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against both known and emerging threats in operating system components.