CVE-2016-1809 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Disk Utility in Apple OS X before 10.11.5 uses incorrect encryption keys for disk images, which has unspecified impact and attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1809 affects Apple's Disk Utility component within macOS versions prior to 10.11.5, representing a critical cryptographic flaw that undermines the security of disk image encryption mechanisms. This issue stems from the improper handling of encryption keys during the creation and management of disk images, creating a fundamental weakness in the operating system's data protection capabilities. The flaw exists in the core encryption infrastructure that Apple employs to secure user data through disk image encryption, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive information stored on encrypted volumes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the incorrect generation, derivation, or application of encryption keys within the Disk Utility framework. When users create encrypted disk images, the system should employ robust key derivation functions and secure random number generation to ensure that each encryption key is unique and cryptographically strong. However, the flawed implementation results in predictable or weak encryption keys that can be reverse-engineered or bypassed through various attack vectors. This weakness directly violates established cryptographic best practices and compromises the confidentiality assurances that users expect from full-disk encryption mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model that users place in macOS encryption features. Attackers who can exploit this flaw may gain access to encrypted disk images without requiring the proper authentication credentials, potentially compromising sensitive personal and corporate data stored on affected systems. The unspecified attack vectors suggest that multiple exploitation methods may be possible, including but not limited to key recovery attacks, side-channel analysis, or leveraging other system vulnerabilities to facilitate the exploitation process. This weakness creates a persistent security risk that affects all users of affected macOS versions, regardless of their security awareness or administrative privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1809 primarily focus on immediate system updates to macOS 10.11.5 or later versions where Apple has implemented corrected encryption key handling mechanisms. Organizations should prioritize patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary security updates promptly. Additionally, users should consider re-encrypting any sensitive disk images that may have been created using vulnerable versions of the operating system, as the compromised encryption keys may have already been exposed to potential attackers. Security administrators should monitor for any signs of unauthorized access to encrypted volumes and implement additional layers of protection including network-based monitoring and access controls to minimize the potential impact of this vulnerability. The remediation process should also include reviewing existing disk image encryption practices and ensuring that proper key management procedures are implemented across all affected systems. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of cryptographic implementation review and the necessity of regular security assessments to identify and address weaknesses in system security infrastructure.