CVE-2017-2425 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. macOS before 10.12.4 is affected. The issue involves the "SecurityFoundation" component. A double free vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted certificate.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2425 represents a critical double free error within Apple's SecurityFoundation component affecting macOS versions prior to 10.12.4. This flaw exists in the certificate processing functionality where the system fails to properly manage memory allocation and deallocation sequences. The double free vulnerability occurs when the same memory block is freed twice, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential code execution. The issue manifests specifically during certificate validation processes where malformed or crafted certificates can trigger the problematic memory management sequence.
SecurityFoundation serves as a core component in macOS for handling cryptographic operations and certificate validation, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it operates at a fundamental security layer. When a remote attacker crafts a malicious certificate that exploits this double free condition, the memory corruption can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected process. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-415, which specifically addresses double free conditions in memory management where the same memory location is deallocated twice, creating opportunities for memory corruption attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2425 extends beyond simple code execution as it can enable attackers to bypass security controls and potentially escalate privileges within the operating system. Since the vulnerability exists in certificate processing, it could be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or network communications where certificates are validated. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments where macOS systems are exposed to external networks.
This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for executing code through scripting and T1068 for local privilege escalation, as the initial exploitation can occur through remote certificate validation. The memory corruption resulting from the double free can be manipulated to redirect execution flow, potentially allowing attackers to inject malicious code or modify system behavior. Organizations should consider implementing certificate pinning policies and monitoring for unusual certificate validation activities as part of their defensive strategy.
The remediation for CVE-2017-2425 requires updating to macOS 10.12.4 or later versions where Apple has implemented proper memory management controls to prevent the double free condition. Security administrators should prioritize patching affected systems and conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any systems running unsupported macOS versions. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts involving malformed certificates, and security policies should be updated to include specific controls for certificate validation and memory integrity checking. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in security-critical components and highlights the necessity of regular security updates and vulnerability assessments in maintaining robust system defenses.