CVE-2017-13836 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.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13836 represents a critical kernel-level flaw in Apple's macOS operating system affecting versions prior to 10.13.1. This security weakness resides within the kernel component which serves as the core foundation of the operating system responsible for managing system resources and providing essential services to applications. The vulnerability specifically enables attackers to circumvent memory-read restrictions that are fundamental to the system's security architecture, potentially allowing unauthorized access to protected memory regions that should remain inaccessible to user-space applications. This type of flaw fundamentally undermines the memory protection mechanisms that are critical for maintaining system integrity and preventing privilege escalation attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a crafted application that leverages specific kernel behaviors to bypass memory access controls. Attackers can construct malicious software that takes advantage of improper validation or handling within the kernel's memory management subsystem. This allows the malicious application to read memory locations that would normally be restricted, potentially exposing sensitive data including kernel memory contents, user credentials, or other confidential information. The flaw operates at a low level within the operating system where traditional application sandboxing mechanisms may not effectively protect against such kernel-level attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper access to resources through insufficient memory protection, and represents a classic case of privilege escalation through kernel exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13836 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to gain deeper system access and potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. This type of vulnerability can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks, allowing threat actors to escalate their privileges, access sensitive system files, or manipulate kernel data structures. The attack vector through a crafted application means that users could be compromised through seemingly legitimate software, making detection and prevention particularly challenging. Organizations running affected macOS versions face significant risk as this vulnerability could enable persistent threats to establish footholds within their systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability also impacts the broader security posture of macOS environments by weakening the fundamental memory protection mechanisms that are essential for maintaining system security boundaries.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13836 primarily focus on upgrading to macOS 10.13.1 or later versions where Apple has implemented patches addressing the kernel memory protection flaw. System administrators should prioritize deployment of the official security updates provided by Apple to ensure complete protection against this vulnerability. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted software, monitoring for suspicious memory access patterns, and maintaining comprehensive system monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of keeping operating systems updated and highlights the critical nature of kernel-level security patches. Security professionals should also consider implementing behavioral monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous memory access patterns consistent with this type of exploit. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected macOS versions and establish remediation timelines to address this and related security weaknesses in their environments.