CVE-2016-4669 in watchOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 10.1 is affected. macOS before 10.12.1 is affected. tvOS before 10.0.1 is affected. watchOS before 3.1 is affected. The issue involves the "Kernel" component. It allows local users to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context or cause a denial of service (MIG code mishandling and system crash) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4669 represents a critical kernel-level flaw affecting multiple Apple operating systems including iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS. This vulnerability resides within the kernel component of these systems, making it particularly dangerous as it operates at the most privileged level of the operating system architecture. The issue stems from improper handling of MIG (Machine Interface Generator) code which is fundamental to the kernel's inter-process communication mechanisms. MIG is a crucial component in the mach microkernel architecture that Apple employs, and its improper handling creates a pathway for malicious exploitation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code within the kernel context, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries that separate user-space applications from system-level operations. This privilege escalation capability transforms what would typically be limited user-level attacks into potentially system-wide compromises. The vulnerability manifests through unspecified vectors that likely involve crafted MIG messages or malformed kernel interactions that trigger undefined behavior in the kernel's message handling routines. When these conditions are met, the system experiences either arbitrary code execution or system crashes that can lead to denial of service conditions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to affected systems as it enables attackers who already have local access to gain elevated privileges without requiring additional exploitation steps. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation since the vulnerability can also cause system instability leading to denial of service scenarios that could disrupt critical operations. The affected versions represent a substantial user base including iOS devices prior to version 10.1, macOS systems before 10.12.1, tvOS before 10.0.1, and watchOS before 3.1, making this a widespread concern across Apple's ecosystem. The MIG code mishandling aspect specifically aligns with common kernel exploitation patterns where improper validation of message parameters leads to memory corruption or control flow hijacking.
Security researchers categorize this vulnerability under CWE-119 as it involves improper restriction of operations within a restricted environment, specifically within the kernel's message handling subsystem. The attack surface maps to several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation through kernel exploits and denial of service through system instability. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems as soon as possible since this vulnerability represents a high-severity threat that could be exploited by sophisticated adversaries. The remediation involves updating to the patched versions of the respective operating systems, with Apple releasing updates that address the MIG code handling issues in their kernel implementations. This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust kernel security measures and proper input validation in system-level components, particularly those handling inter-process communication mechanisms.