CVE-2017-13824 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. macOS before 10.13.1 is affected. The issue involves the "Open Scripting Architecture" component. It allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted AppleScript file that is mishandled by osadecompile.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13824 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's macOS operating system affecting versions prior to 10.13.1. This vulnerability resides within the Open Scripting Architecture component, which serves as the foundation for scripting capabilities in macOS environments. The Open Scripting Architecture enables users to automate tasks through scripting languages including AppleScript, which is essential for system administration and user productivity automation. The flaw specifically manifests when the osadecompile utility processes maliciously crafted AppleScript files, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit the system's scripting infrastructure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within the osadecompile utility which is responsible for decompiling AppleScript files into human-readable format. When processing a specially crafted AppleScript file, the utility fails to properly validate input parameters, leading to memory corruption conditions that can be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This memory corruption vulnerability falls under the category of buffer overflow conditions as defined by CWE-121, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries. The flaw demonstrates characteristics of a code execution vulnerability that can be remotely exploited without requiring user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution capabilities to encompass potential system compromise and denial of service scenarios. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to affected systems, potentially escalating privileges and establishing persistent access points within the target environment. The remote exploitation capability means that adversaries can target systems without physical access, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments where macOS systems are deployed across networks. Additionally, the vulnerability can be used to cause denial of service conditions by triggering memory corruption that may lead to system crashes or application instability. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for AppleScript execution and T1203 for exploitation of remote services, representing the attack vectors and techniques that adversaries would employ to leverage this weakness.
Organizations and users affected by CVE-2017-13824 should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to macOS 10.13.1 or later versions where Apple has patched this vulnerability. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to untrusted networks. The patch addresses the underlying memory handling issues in the osadecompile utility by implementing proper bounds checking and input validation mechanisms. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous script execution patterns and unexpected system behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected systems and ensure comprehensive security coverage across all macOS deployments. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date system patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against sophisticated exploitation techniques targeting scripting infrastructure components.