CVE-2017-2438 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. macOS before 10.12.4 is affected. The issue involves the "AppleRAID" 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 • 11/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2438 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within Apple's macOS operating system affecting versions prior to 10.12.4. This security weakness resides within the AppleRAID component which manages redundant array of independent disks functionality, a core system service that provides storage redundancy and performance enhancement for enterprise and consumer environments. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices where freed memory regions are accessed after being deallocated, creating a predictable exploitation vector for malicious actors seeking to compromise system integrity.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the AppleRAID driver's insufficient validation of input parameters during disk array operations, particularly when handling malformed or crafted disk configuration data. When a malicious application attempts to manipulate RAID array configurations through the system's disk management interfaces, the underlying AppleRAID component fails to properly validate memory references, leading to a situation where freed memory blocks can be reallocated and subsequently accessed by an attacker-controlled application. This use-after-free condition creates a privilege escalation opportunity that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, bypassing standard security boundaries that typically protect system core components.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to macOS systems running affected versions, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized administrative access to compromised machines. The exploit requires minimal user interaction beyond running a malicious application, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may inadvertently execute untrusted code. The potential consequences extend beyond simple privilege escalation to include complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor establishment. Security professionals have noted that this vulnerability aligns with attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, specifically targeting kernel-level access and system integrity compromise.
Organizations and individuals should immediately implement mitigation strategies including upgrading to macOS version 10.12.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches addressing the memory management issues within the AppleRAID component. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting policies, monitoring for suspicious disk management activities, and regular security assessments of system configurations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices in operating system components and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of core system services. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential exploitation attempts, as the use-after-free nature of this vulnerability makes it particularly suitable for advanced persistent threat campaigns that require sustained system access and control.