CVE-2017-13818 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 crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical kernel-level memory protection bypass affecting macOS versions prior to 10.13.1. The flaw resides within the kernel component of Apple's operating system, specifically targeting memory read restrictions that are fundamental to system security. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious applications that manipulate kernel memory access controls, effectively circumventing the intended protection mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized memory reads. The vulnerability falls under the category of privilege escalation and memory corruption issues, with implications for the overall system integrity and user data protection.
The technical nature of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in kernel memory management controls, where the system's ability to enforce memory access restrictions is compromised. This type of flaw typically relates to improper validation of memory access requests or inadequate enforcement of memory protection boundaries within the kernel space. The attack vector involves a crafted application that leverages specific kernel interfaces or memory management functions to bypass normal access controls. This represents a sophisticated exploitation technique that requires deep understanding of the kernel's memory management subsystem and how it enforces access restrictions.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to macOS systems running affected versions. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to read memory contents that should normally be restricted, potentially exposing sensitive data, system internals, or user information. The implications extend beyond simple data theft to include potential system compromise, as attackers could access kernel memory regions containing critical system information or credentials. This vulnerability particularly affects the confidentiality and integrity aspects of the system's security model, as it undermines the fundamental memory protection mechanisms that separate user space from kernel space operations. The attack requires only a crafted application, making it relatively accessible to threat actors without requiring physical access or advanced technical expertise.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-122 (Heap-based Buffer Overflow) and CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read) categories, representing memory safety issues within kernel components. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this maps to techniques such as T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter), as attackers could leverage this to gain elevated privileges and execute malicious code. The security implications extend to potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected macOS systems to address this vulnerability, as it represents a significant risk to system security and data protection. The recommended mitigation involves upgrading to macOS 10.13.1 or later versions where Apple has implemented appropriate kernel memory protection mechanisms and access control improvements.