CVE-2016-7624 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. macOS before 10.12.2 is affected. The issue involves the "IOAcceleratorFamily" component. It allows local users to obtain sensitive kernel memory-layout information via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7624 resides within Apple's macOS operating system, specifically affecting versions prior to 10.12.2. This security flaw is categorized under the IOAcceleratorFamily component, which serves as a critical kernel extension responsible for hardware acceleration capabilities in macOS systems. The vulnerability represents a significant concern for system security as it enables local attackers to extract sensitive kernel memory layout information, potentially compromising the overall security posture of affected systems. The IOAcceleratorFamily component operates at the kernel level and provides acceleration services for graphics and compute operations, making it a prime target for exploitation attempts that aim to understand system internals.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory layout information within the IOAcceleratorFamily kernel extension. Attackers can leverage unspecified vectors to access kernel memory addresses and layout details that should remain protected from user-space access. This type of information disclosure vulnerability falls under CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor. The flaw essentially creates a pathway for local users to bypass normal kernel security boundaries and obtain knowledge about kernel memory structures, which can subsequently be used to facilitate more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because kernel memory layout information is often essential for advanced exploitation techniques such as bypassing kernel address space layout randomization and developing successful kernel exploits.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7624 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with crucial intelligence for crafting more effective attacks against macOS systems. When combined with other vulnerabilities or exploitation techniques, the memory layout information obtained through this flaw could enable attackers to perform kernel-level attacks that would otherwise be significantly more difficult to execute. This vulnerability particularly affects systems running macOS versions before 10.12.2, which means that users who have not updated their systems remain at risk. The local nature of the attack means that an attacker must already have user-level access to the system, but the potential for escalation remains high. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date system patches and highlights how seemingly minor information disclosure issues can create significant security risks.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability involves updating macOS to version 10.12.2 or later, which includes patches specifically designed to address the memory layout information exposure within the IOAcceleratorFamily component. System administrators should prioritize deployment of this update across all affected systems to prevent potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring to detect any suspicious activity that might indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and control communications, and T1068, which addresses local privilege escalation, as attackers who obtain kernel memory information can use it to develop more sophisticated exploitation strategies. The vulnerability also relates to T1083, which covers file and directory discovery, as the memory layout information can be used to identify and target specific kernel structures for further exploitation attempts.