CVE-2016-1860 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Intel Graphics Driver in Apple OS X before 10.11.5 allows attackers to obtain sensitive kernel memory-layout information via a crafted app, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-1862.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2019
This vulnerability resides in the Intel Graphics Driver component of Apple's macOS operating system, specifically affecting versions prior to 10.11.5. The flaw represents a kernel information disclosure issue that enables malicious applications to extract sensitive memory layout details from the kernel space. The vulnerability operates through a crafted application that leverages specific driver interfaces to probe and retrieve kernel memory addresses and layout information. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure flaws that can provide attackers with critical system architecture details. The security implications extend beyond simple information gathering as this memory layout information can be instrumental in planning more sophisticated attacks against the operating system.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves improper input validation and memory access controls within the Intel Graphics Driver implementation. Attackers can construct malicious applications that exploit driver functions to traverse kernel memory structures and extract address information that would normally be protected from user-space access. This occurs because the driver lacks adequate bounds checking and memory protection mechanisms when processing certain types of graphics-related commands or data structures. The vulnerability is classified as a memory disclosure issue that can be exploited through kernel-level memory access patterns. From a cybersecurity perspective, this represents a privilege escalation vector that can be leveraged to gather intelligence for subsequent exploitation attempts. The flaw demonstrates weaknesses in the kernel's memory management and access control mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized memory probing operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends significantly beyond the immediate information disclosure threat. Attackers who successfully exploit this flaw can use the gathered memory layout information to bypass kernel address space layout randomization protections, which are fundamental security mitigations in modern operating systems. This information can be combined with other vulnerabilities to create more effective exploitation strategies, particularly when targeting memory corruption vulnerabilities. The vulnerability affects the core security architecture of macOS by weakening the isolation between user-space applications and kernel memory spaces. From an enterprise security standpoint, this represents a significant risk as it can enable attackers to develop more precise and effective attacks against systems running vulnerable versions of macOS. The vulnerability also impacts the overall security posture by reducing the effectiveness of various exploit mitigations that rely on memory layout unpredictability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve updating to Apple macOS version 10.11.5 or later, which contains patches addressing the kernel memory access controls in the Intel Graphics Driver. System administrators should prioritize deployment of this security update across all affected macOS systems to prevent exploitation. Additional defensive measures include implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of untrusted applications that might attempt to exploit this vulnerability. Network security controls such as intrusion detection systems can be configured to monitor for suspicious graphics driver activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing kernel protection mechanisms and monitoring for unauthorized kernel memory access attempts. This vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the attack chain where initial reconnaissance and information gathering precede more sophisticated exploitation techniques. The flaw demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date system components and the critical role of driver security in overall operating system security. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability represents a potential violation of security standards that require timely patch management and vulnerability remediation. The vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of graphics drivers and kernel components to identify potential information disclosure flaws before they can be exploited by malicious actors.