CVE-2016-1815 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
IOAcceleratorFamily 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1815 affects the IOAcceleratorFamily component within Apple's macOS operating system, specifically impacting versions prior to 10.11.5. This flaw resides in the kernel-level subsystem responsible for graphics acceleration and hardware acceleration services, making it particularly dangerous as it operates with elevated privileges. The vulnerability represents a critical security issue that could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to privileged system resources or disrupt system operations through memory corruption attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the IOAcceleratorFamily kernel extension. Attackers can craft malicious applications that exploit buffer overflow conditions or memory corruption issues when interacting with the graphics acceleration APIs. These flaws allow for privilege escalation attacks where unprivileged user processes can execute code with kernel-level privileges, effectively bypassing standard security boundaries. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the system processes graphics commands or hardware acceleration requests from user-space applications, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures and execute arbitrary code.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1815 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can lead to complete system compromise and persistent backdoor access. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can execute malicious code in kernel space, potentially installing rootkits, modifying system files, or establishing persistent access to affected systems. The memory corruption nature of the flaw also presents risk for denial of service scenarios, where system stability may be compromised through controlled crashes or resource exhaustion attacks. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where macOS systems handle sensitive data and require robust security controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of Apple's security patches and updates to macOS 10.11.5 or later versions. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring for unusual kernel activity and privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, involving privilege escalation through kernel exploits. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting, kernel extension restrictions, and regular security assessments to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.