CVE-2017-2360 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 10.2.1 is affected. macOS before 10.12.3 is affected. tvOS before 10.1.1 is affected. watchOS before 3.1.3 is affected. The issue involves the "Kernel" 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
This vulnerability resides within the kernel component of Apple's operating systems, representing a critical use-after-free flaw that affects multiple platforms including iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management where freed memory regions are accessed after being deallocated, creating opportunities for attackers to exploit this condition and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The issue specifically impacts iOS versions prior to 10.2.1, macOS versions prior to 10.12.3, tvOS versions prior to 10.1.1, and watchOS versions prior to 3.1.3, indicating a widespread exposure across Apple's ecosystem. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416 which describes the use of freed memory condition, and represents a significant escalation path for attackers seeking to bypass system security controls and gain unauthorized access to privileged execution contexts.
The technical exploitation of this use-after-free vulnerability enables attackers to craft malicious applications that trigger memory corruption conditions within the kernel space. When the kernel processes these crafted applications, it may attempt to access memory that has already been freed and potentially reallocated, leading to unpredictable behavior that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code. This privilege escalation scenario allows attackers to bypass normal security boundaries and operate with system-level privileges, potentially enabling full system compromise. The vulnerability's nature suggests it may involve kernel data structures or memory pools where improper reference counting or cleanup procedures leave memory accessible after deallocation, creating a window for exploitation. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques where adversaries leverage software flaws to gain elevated system access, typically classified under T1068.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it represents a complete breakdown in memory safety mechanisms that can lead to persistent system compromise. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially maintain persistent access, escalate privileges to system administrators, and access sensitive system resources without detection. The widespread nature of the affected platforms means that organizations using these Apple products face significant risk, particularly in environments where mobile devices are used for sensitive operations. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction since it can be triggered through legitimate application execution, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as a high-priority threat requiring immediate remediation across all affected Apple platforms.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment across all affected Apple operating systems, with particular attention to ensuring timely updates for iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS devices. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious application behavior and memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, security teams should consider network-based detection measures that can identify potential exploitation attempts through anomalous memory access patterns or privilege escalation activities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust memory safety practices in kernel development and underscores the need for continuous security testing of core operating system components. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for similar memory corruption vulnerabilities in system components, as these flaws often indicate broader architectural security weaknesses that may affect other system areas.