CVE-2016-1823 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
The IOHIDDevice::handleReportWithTime function 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 (out-of-bounds read and memory corruption) via a crafted IOHIDReportType enum, which triggers an incorrect cast, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-1824.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1823 represents a critical security flaw in Apple's operating systems affecting iOS versions prior to 9.3.2, OS X versions prior to 10.11.5, tvOS versions prior to 9.2.1, and watchOS versions prior to 2.2.1. This issue resides within the IOHIDDevice::handleReportWithTime function which processes input/output HID (Human Interface Device) reports. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of the IOHIDReportType enum parameter, creating a scenario where attackers can manipulate system behavior through crafted HID reports. The flaw manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition followed by memory corruption, which can be exploited to achieve arbitrary code execution within a privileged context or cause system denial of service. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read and CWE-787 as an out-of-bounds write, both of which are fundamental memory safety issues that can lead to system compromise.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2016-1823 involves attackers crafting malicious HID reports with specially constructed IOHIDReportType enum values that trigger incorrect type casting within the handleReportWithTime function. When the system processes these malformed reports, the improper cast causes the function to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries, resulting in memory corruption. This memory corruption can be leveraged to overwrite critical system structures or execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, as the function operates in a privileged context. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically through the execution of arbitrary code in kernel space. The out-of-bounds read operation typically occurs before the memory corruption, allowing attackers to potentially leak memory contents and further refine their exploitation approach.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple Apple platforms and represents a significant risk to system integrity and user security. Attackers could exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized access to privileged system resources, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's presence in core operating system components means that successful exploitation could result in persistent backdoors, data theft, or complete system control. Organizations and users running affected versions of Apple's operating systems face elevated risk of targeted attacks, particularly in environments where physical access to devices or network-based exploitation methods are feasible. The vulnerability's classification as a privilege escalation issue indicates that it could be used to elevate user privileges to system-level access, undermining the fundamental security model of Apple's operating systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1823 primarily involve applying the official security updates provided by Apple, which include patches to the IOHIDDevice implementation and proper validation of IOHIDReportType enum values. System administrators should prioritize deployment of the latest security patches for iOS 9.3.2, OS X 10.11.5, tvOS 9.2.1, and watchOS 2.2.1, as these updates specifically address the improper type casting and memory handling issues. Additionally, organizations should implement network monitoring to detect suspicious HID report traffic and consider restricting physical access to devices where possible. The vulnerability's nature suggests that runtime protections such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and code integrity checks may provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Security teams should also monitor for potential exploitation attempts and maintain incident response procedures specifically tailored to handle kernel-level vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include verification of system patch levels to ensure complete remediation of this and related HID device vulnerabilities.