CVE-2017-13829 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. macOS before 10.13.1 is affected. The issue involves the "CFNetwork" 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 • 09/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13829 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's macOS operating system affecting versions prior to 10.13.1. This issue resides within the CFNetwork component, which serves as a fundamental networking framework that handles various network operations including HTTP, HTTPS, and other internet protocols. The CFNetwork framework operates with elevated privileges and is integral to how macOS applications communicate over networks, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to escalate their privileges or disrupt system operations. The vulnerability specifically manifests as a memory corruption issue that can be triggered through maliciously crafted applications designed to exploit the underlying flaw.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within the CFNetwork implementation, creating conditions where an attacker can manipulate memory structures through carefully constructed network requests or application data. This memory corruption allows for arbitrary code execution within a privileged context, effectively enabling attackers to bypass normal security restrictions and gain elevated system privileges. The flaw operates at a low level within the operating system's networking stack, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through legitimate network communication channels without requiring physical access or additional attack vectors. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can also lead to denial of service conditions where system stability is compromised through memory corruption that may cause kernel panics or application crashes.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13829 is significant for macOS environments, particularly in enterprise settings where network communication is extensive and security controls may not be immediately updated. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code with system-level privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or persistent backdoor installation. The attack vector through crafted applications means that users could be compromised simply by running malicious software, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users may not be security-savvy or where software distribution is not strictly controlled. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and reflects patterns commonly found in memory corruption vulnerabilities that enable privilege escalation attacks.
Organizations and users should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to macOS 10.13.1 or later versions where this vulnerability has been addressed through Apple's security updates. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while security teams should review application deployment policies to prevent execution of untrusted software. The mitigation strategy should also include regular patch management processes and user education about the risks of running unverified applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and execution methods that attackers can use to gain persistent access to systems, making it a critical target for defensive measures that include both endpoint protection and network security controls.