CVE-2016-1825 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
IOHIDFamily 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 • 11/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1825 resides within the IOHIDFamily component of Apple's operating system, specifically affecting versions prior to macOS 10.11.5. This kernel extension serves as the foundation for handling human interface device communications including keyboards, mice, and other input peripherals. The flaw represents a critical security weakness that enables attackers to escalate privileges and execute malicious code within the kernel context, fundamentally compromising system integrity. The vulnerability manifests through improper input validation in the device handling mechanisms, creating opportunities for memory corruption attacks that can be exploited by malicious applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking and memory management within the IOHIDFamily kernel extension. When a crafted application attempts to communicate with HID devices through the kernel interface, the system fails to properly validate input parameters and device state information. This allows attackers to craft malicious input sequences that trigger buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory corruption scenarios within kernel memory space. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of device reports and configuration data, where attacker-controlled data can overwrite critical kernel memory structures. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities in memory management.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1825 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass full system compromise capabilities. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, effectively bypassing all user-mode security controls including sandboxing, code signing, and privilege separation mechanisms. The memory corruption aspects of this vulnerability also create potential for denial of service scenarios where system stability is compromised through kernel memory corruption. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged for persistent rootkit installations, data exfiltration, or complete system takeover. The attack vector requires only a malicious application that can be executed by an ordinary user, making it accessible to threat actors without requiring physical access or advanced exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate system updates and operational security measures. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to macOS 10.11.5 or later versions where Apple has implemented proper bounds checking and memory validation within the IOHIDFamily component. System administrators should prioritize patch management and ensure all endpoints receive timely security updates. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted code, monitoring for suspicious device communication patterns, and maintaining comprehensive system monitoring for signs of kernel-level compromise. From an operational security perspective, organizations should consider network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation and maintain regular system integrity checks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of kernel-level security validation and proper input sanitization, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through kernel exploits. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions capable of identifying anomalous kernel memory access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.