CVE-2017-2449 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. macOS before 10.12.4 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 • 11/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2449 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's macOS operating system affecting versions prior to 10.12.4. This issue resides within the Bluetooth component of the system, which serves as a fundamental networking interface for wireless communication between devices. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices that create opportunities for malicious exploitation through crafted applications designed to trigger specific memory access patterns. The flaw manifests as a use-after-free condition, where memory allocated to Bluetooth processes is freed but subsequently accessed by malicious code, creating a potential execution path for unauthorized operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within CWE-416, which catalogs use-after-free flaws as a category of memory safety issues. These types of vulnerabilities occur when software continues to reference memory after it has been freed, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate the memory contents or redirect execution flow. In the context of macOS Bluetooth functionality, this creates a privileged execution environment where malicious code could potentially escalate privileges or execute arbitrary commands with system-level access. The attack vector requires a crafted application to be installed and executed on the vulnerable system, making it particularly concerning as it leverages legitimate system interfaces to gain unauthorized access.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2449 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it represents a significant threat to system integrity and user data confidentiality. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context, potentially enabling full system compromise. This capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers execution through legitimate system interfaces, and T1068, which addresses local privilege escalation. The use-after-free condition could also result in denial of service scenarios where the Bluetooth subsystem becomes unstable or crashes, rendering wireless connectivity unavailable to users. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe given that Bluetooth is a core system component that many applications and services depend upon for communication and data transfer.
Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the installation of macOS 10.12.4 or later updates, which contain the necessary patches to address the memory management issues within the Bluetooth subsystem. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected systems and implement proper patch management protocols to ensure complete coverage. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts through unusual Bluetooth activity or unauthorized application installations. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining current system updates and implementing layered security approaches that include application whitelisting, network segmentation, and continuous monitoring of system behavior to detect anomalous activities that may indicate exploitation attempts.