CVE-2016-7582 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. macOS before 10.12 is affected. The issue involves the "Intel Graphics Driver" component. It 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 • 08/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7582 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's macOS operating system affecting versions prior to 10.12. This issue resides within the Intel Graphics Driver component, which serves as a fundamental interface between the operating system and graphics hardware. The flaw manifests as a memory corruption vulnerability that can be exploited by malicious actors to gain elevated privileges or disrupt system operations. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise through arbitrary code execution in a privileged context.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the Intel Graphics Driver module. Attackers can craft specially designed applications that trigger memory corruption when processed by the graphics driver, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential code execution. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-121, which describes "Stack-based Buffer Overflow" or more broadly encompasses memory corruption issues that allow attackers to manipulate program execution flow. The flaw enables attackers to bypass normal security restrictions and execute malicious code with elevated privileges, effectively elevating their access level within the system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to macOS users running affected versions, particularly in enterprise environments where graphics-intensive applications are common. The ability to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context means that attackers could potentially install malware, modify system files, or establish persistent backdoors. The denial of service component of this vulnerability adds another layer of risk as it could be used to disrupt legitimate system operations, causing service interruptions that may impact productivity. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and represents a classic path for attackers to gain elevated system access.
The exploitation of CVE-2016-7582 demonstrates the critical importance of keeping operating systems updated, particularly for graphics drivers that handle sensitive system operations. Organizations should prioritize patch management for macOS systems and consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized applications from executing. The vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of graphics drivers and system components that interface with hardware, as these components often represent attack surfaces that can be leveraged for privilege escalation. System administrators should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and ensure that all macOS systems are updated to version 10.12 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed through driver updates and security patches.