CVE-2016-1805 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
CoreStorage in Apple OS X before 10.11.5 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1805 resides within CoreStorage, a critical component of Apple's operating system that manages disk encryption and storage volumes. This flaw affects Apple OS X versions prior to 10.11.5 and represents a significant privilege escalation vulnerability that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within CoreStorage's handling of specially crafted applications, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass system security controls and gain unauthorized access to privileged system functions.
CoreStorage serves as the foundation for Apple's FileVault disk encryption implementation and manages various storage operations including volume creation, mounting, and encryption handling. The technical flaw manifests when the system processes maliciously crafted applications that exploit a buffer overflow or memory corruption issue within CoreStorage's kernel extension. This vulnerability operates at the kernel level, meaning that successful exploitation would grant attackers root-level access to the system, enabling them to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context without requiring user interaction or authentication. The attack vector specifically involves a crafted application that, when executed or processed by CoreStorage, triggers the vulnerable code path and allows for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1805 is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with a means to bypass fundamental security mechanisms that protect user data and system integrity. Once exploited, this vulnerability could enable attackers to install malware, modify system files, access encrypted data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the affected systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates silently in the background, allowing attackers to gain root privileges without user awareness, making detection and prevention challenging. Systems running vulnerable versions of OS X would be at risk from various attack scenarios including targeted attacks against specific users, automated exploitation campaigns, and advanced persistent threat operations that leverage this privilege escalation capability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1805 primarily focus on immediate system updates and security hardening measures. Apple addressed this vulnerability through the release of OS X 10.11.5, which includes patches that resolve the CoreStorage vulnerability and prevent the privilege escalation exploit. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of this security update across all affected systems and implement comprehensive monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include enabling system integrity protection features, restricting application execution through code signing requirements, and implementing network monitoring to detect suspicious activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, privilege escalation through local exploitation, making it a critical target for security teams implementing comprehensive threat hunting and incident response procedures.