CVE-2017-13782 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. macOS before 10.13.1 is affected. The issue involves the "Kernel" component. It allows attackers to bypass intended memory-read restrictions via a /dev/dtracehelper attack involving the dtrace_dif_variable and dtrace_getarg functions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13782 represents a critical kernel-level security flaw affecting macOS versions prior to 10.13.1. This issue resides within the kernel component of Apple's operating system, specifically targeting the dtrace helper functionality that provides debugging and profiling capabilities. The vulnerability stems from insufficient memory access controls within the dtrace_dif_variable and dtrace_getarg functions, which are part of the dynamic tracing infrastructure. These functions are designed to allow userspace applications to interact with kernel data structures for debugging purposes, but they contain a flaw that permits unauthorized memory access patterns.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a specific attack vector involving the /dev/dtracehelper device file, which serves as an interface between user applications and kernel debugging functionality. Attackers can leverage this device to manipulate the dtrace_dif_variable and dtrace_getarg functions in ways that bypass normal memory protection mechanisms. This allows malicious actors to read kernel memory contents that should normally be restricted to privileged processes only. The flaw essentially creates a pathway for arbitrary memory reads that circumvents the kernel's intended access controls, potentially exposing sensitive kernel data structures and system information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with elevated privileges and access to kernel-level information that could be used for further exploitation. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive kernel memory regions, potentially including cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other confidential system data. This type of privilege escalation could enable attackers to bypass system security controls, escalate their access level, and potentially achieve full system compromise. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insufficient privilege checking in kernel space, where the dtrace helper functionality fails to properly validate memory access requests.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and demonstrates how kernel-level privilege escalation can occur when access controls are improperly implemented. The attack pattern follows techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation tactics, specifically targeting kernel-level functionality to gain elevated system privileges. The dtrace helper device interface represents a legitimate system functionality that has been misconfigured or inadequately secured, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by adversaries. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper kernel memory protection mechanisms and the need for comprehensive access control validation even in legitimate debugging and profiling tools. Apple's subsequent release of macOS 10.13.1 addressed this issue through kernel memory protection enhancements and proper validation of dtrace helper function calls, ensuring that memory access restrictions are properly enforced for all kernel-level operations.