CVE-2016-1816 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 (NULL pointer dereference) via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1816 resides within the IOAcceleratorFamily component of Apple's operating system, specifically affecting versions prior to macOS 10.11.5. This kernel extension forms part of the graphics and acceleration subsystem that enables hardware-accelerated graphics operations. The flaw manifests as a NULL pointer dereference condition that occurs when processing crafted applications, allowing malicious actors to exploit this weakness for unauthorized code execution or system disruption.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the IOAcceleratorFamily kernel extension. When a specially crafted application attempts to interact with the graphics acceleration framework, the extension fails to properly validate pointer references, leading to a scenario where a NULL pointer is dereferenced during execution. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference conditions in software systems. The improper validation allows attackers to manipulate the execution flow of the kernel extension and potentially escalate privileges to gain system-level access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to macOS systems as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The ability to perform code execution in a privileged context means that an attacker could potentially install malware, modify system files, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level where the attacker's code executes with the highest system privileges, making traditional user-level security measures ineffective against such attacks. Additionally, the denial of service aspect could be leveraged to disrupt system operations by causing kernel panics or system crashes.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and execution tactics. Attackers typically leverage kernel-level vulnerabilities to move from initial access to system compromise, making CVE-2016-1816 particularly dangerous in environments where users may be tricked into running malicious applications. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential data exfiltration and system integrity compromise. Organizations should note that this vulnerability affects systems running macOS versions prior to 10.11.5, making timely patch deployment critical for maintaining system security. The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate deployment of Apple's security update for macOS 10.11.5, which addresses the NULL pointer dereference issue through proper input validation and pointer checking mechanisms. Security teams should also implement monitoring for suspicious application execution patterns and maintain updated threat intelligence to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.