CVE-2017-2353 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. macOS before 10.12.3 is affected. The issue involves the "Bluetooth" component. It allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context or cause a denial of service (use-after-free) via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2353 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's macOS operating system affecting versions prior to 10.12.3. This issue specifically resides within the Bluetooth component of the system, demonstrating how wireless connectivity frameworks can become attack vectors for sophisticated exploitation. The vulnerability manifests as a use-after-free condition that occurs when the Bluetooth subsystem processes maliciously crafted applications, creating an opportunity for adversaries to gain unauthorized system access. This flaw exemplifies the dangers inherent in complex operating system components where memory management errors can be leveraged for privilege escalation attacks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category of use-after-free conditions, which occurs when a program continues to reference memory after it has been freed, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate the system's memory state. In the context of macOS Bluetooth implementation, this flaw arises from improper memory management within the kernel-level Bluetooth driver components that handle application communication. Attackers can exploit this by creating a malicious application that triggers the vulnerable code path, causing the system to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges typically reserved for system processes. The use-after-free condition specifically targets memory allocated for Bluetooth connection handling, where freed memory blocks can be reallocated and subsequently accessed by malicious code, leading to unpredictable behavior including privilege escalation or system crashes.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2353 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within the privileged context of the operating system. This capability allows adversaries to bypass standard security boundaries and potentially gain full control over affected systems. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction since it can be triggered through legitimate application execution, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may unknowingly install malicious software. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that Bluetooth is a core system component that remains active even when users are not actively using wireless devices, creating persistent exposure windows. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute shell commands or other malicious payloads with system-level privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates to macOS 10.12.3 or later versions, which contain patched Bluetooth subsystem implementations that properly handle memory management. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly, particularly in enterprise environments where multiple macOS devices may be in use. Network administrators should consider disabling Bluetooth functionality on systems where wireless connectivity is not required, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious Bluetooth-related processes or memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of installing untrusted applications and the importance of maintaining up-to-date operating system versions to protect against known vulnerabilities. The patch resolution addresses the root cause by implementing proper memory deallocation and reference checking mechanisms within the Bluetooth kernel extensions, preventing the reuse of freed memory blocks that previously enabled privilege escalation attacks.