CVE-2016-1806 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Crash Reporter 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-2016-1806 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Apple's operating system ecosystem affecting versions prior to macOS 10.11.5. This issue resides within the Crash Reporter component, which is designed to collect and process crash information from applications. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper privilege handling within the crash reporting mechanism, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's security model.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of crafted applications that trigger the Crash Reporter to execute malicious code with elevated privileges. When an application crashes and the Crash Reporter processes this event, the system fails to properly validate the source or content of the crash data. This flaw allows attackers to craft specially designed applications that, when executed, cause the Crash Reporter to load and execute arbitrary code within a privileged context, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries that should prevent unauthorized code execution.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to system integrity and user security. The ability to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges means that attackers can potentially install malware, modify system files, access sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors. The privilege escalation aspect of this vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows attackers to move beyond simple application-level compromises to full system compromise. The vulnerability affects the core operating system functionality and can be exploited through legitimate application execution channels, making detection and prevention challenging.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate system compromise to include potential data exfiltration, lateral movement capabilities, and persistent access to compromised systems. Attackers can leverage this privilege escalation to gain access to user credentials, sensitive documents, and system configurations that would normally be protected by standard security boundaries. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require physical access or specialized equipment, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple users may be running untrusted applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1806 primarily focus on immediate system updates and patch management. Apple released macOS 10.11.5 to address this vulnerability, which includes enhanced input validation and privilege handling within the Crash Reporter component. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of this security update across all affected systems. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies, monitoring for unusual crash reporting activity, and conducting regular security assessments of system components. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and maps to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and execution through legitimate system processes. System administrators should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect suspicious crash reporting activity that might indicate exploitation attempts.