CVE-2017-2370 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 (buffer overflow) via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2370 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the kernel component of multiple Apple operating systems, affecting 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. This vulnerability resides at the core of Apple's operating system architecture, specifically within the kernel space where privileged system operations occur, making it particularly dangerous as it operates outside of normal user-space protections and security boundaries. The flaw enables attackers to craft malicious applications that can exploit this buffer overflow condition to gain elevated privileges and execute arbitrary code with kernel-level access, effectively bypassing all standard security mechanisms that normally protect the operating system from malicious interference.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within kernel functions that handle data processing from user-space applications. When a specially crafted application attempts to interact with kernel services, the buffer overflow occurs due to insufficient bounds checking on data structures or memory allocations. This allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting critical kernel data structures or even redirecting execution flow to malicious code. The vulnerability operates under CWE-121, which classifies buffer overflow conditions where insufficient boundary checks allow memory to be overwritten, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1055 for privilege escalation and T1499 for denial of service. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially enable full system compromise, as kernel-level access provides complete control over system resources, memory management, and hardware interfaces.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are severe given its ability to affect multiple Apple platforms simultaneously, creating a unified attack surface across mobile, desktop, and television operating systems. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability through seemingly benign applications distributed via the App Store or through malicious third-party applications, making the attack vector both widespread and difficult to detect. The privilege escalation aspect means that even if users maintain standard user accounts, the vulnerability could enable attackers to gain root-level access and execute malicious code with complete system control. This capability allows for persistent backdoor installation, data exfiltration, system monitoring, and complete compromise of user privacy and security. Organizations and individuals using affected versions of these Apple operating systems face significant risk of targeted attacks, with the vulnerability potentially enabling advanced persistent threat campaigns that could remain undetected for extended periods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2370 require immediate system updates to the patched versions of each affected operating system, as Apple released security updates specifically addressing this kernel vulnerability. System administrators should prioritize deployment of these patches across all affected devices, particularly in enterprise environments where multiple Apple devices may be in use. Additional defensive measures include implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted applications, monitoring system logs for unusual kernel activity, and conducting regular security assessments of mobile device management systems. Organizations should also consider network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts and implement strict app review processes for third-party applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date operating systems and highlights the risks associated with delayed patch management in enterprise security environments, as this flaw could enable attackers to establish persistent access to sensitive systems and data.