CVE-2016-1813 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
IOAcceleratorFamily in Apple iOS before 9.3.2, OS X before 10.11.5, tvOS before 9.2.1, and watchOS before 2.2.1 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context or cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference) via a crafted app.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2024
The CVE-2016-1813 vulnerability resides within the IOAcceleratorFamily component of Apple's operating systems, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that affected multiple Apple platforms including iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS. This vulnerability specifically targets the kernel-level subsystem responsible for graphics acceleration and hardware acceleration services, creating a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The flaw manifests as a NULL pointer dereference condition that occurs when the system processes crafted malicious applications, allowing unauthorized code execution in a privileged context that should normally be restricted to system-level processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the IOAcceleratorFamily kernel extension, which handles communication between user-space applications and hardware acceleration components. When a malicious application attempts to interact with the IOAcceleratorFamily services, the system fails to properly validate pointer references, leading to a NULL pointer dereference that can be exploited to gain kernel-level access. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-476 category of NULL Pointer Dereference, where the absence of proper null checks in kernel code creates exploitable conditions that can be leveraged for privilege escalation. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the kernel level, bypassing standard user-space security mechanisms and allowing attackers to execute code with the highest system privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1813 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context or cause denial of service conditions. This vulnerability could enable attackers to install malicious software, modify system files, disable security features, or even create persistent backdoors on affected devices. The exploitation of this flaw would allow threat actors to compromise entire operating systems, potentially affecting millions of Apple devices across different platforms. Organizations and individuals using affected versions of Apple operating systems face significant security risks, as this vulnerability could be exploited in the wild without requiring user interaction, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments and personal devices alike.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and execution techniques, specifically targeting kernel-level access and system command execution. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of kernel-level security validation and proper input sanitization in system components that interface with hardware acceleration services. The recommended mitigations include immediate deployment of Apple's security updates and patches for iOS 9.3.2, macOS 10.11.5, tvOS 9.2.1, and watchOS 2.2.1, as well as implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing device management policies that enforce automatic updates and maintain awareness of the specific IOAcceleratorFamily kernel extension vulnerabilities that could be exploited in similar ways, ensuring comprehensive protection against both known and emerging threats targeting Apple operating system components.