CVE-2017-2507 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 10.3.2 is affected. macOS before 10.12.5 is affected. tvOS before 10.2.1 is affected. watchOS before 3.2.2 is affected. The issue involves the "Kernel" component. It allows attackers to bypass intended memory-read restrictions via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/24/2020
This vulnerability resides within the kernel component of Apple's operating systems, representing a critical memory protection flaw that undermines fundamental security boundaries. The issue affects multiple Apple platforms including iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS, with specific versions below the mentioned thresholds being susceptible. The vulnerability manifests as an insufficient memory-read restriction bypass that enables malicious applications to access memory regions that should normally be protected from unauthorized access. This represents a significant escalation from standard application sandboxing mechanisms that typically isolate apps from each other and from system resources. The flaw operates at the kernel level where memory management and access controls are enforced, making it particularly dangerous as it can potentially allow attackers to read sensitive kernel memory, extract cryptographic keys, or access other protected system information. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls, specifically focusing on inadequate memory protection mechanisms that allow unauthorized access to restricted memory regions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a persistent backdoor that can be exploited by malicious applications to gain elevated privileges and access to sensitive system resources. Attackers can craft specially designed applications that leverage this kernel-level flaw to circumvent memory protection controls that are fundamental to operating system security. This vulnerability enables what is known as a kernel exploit, where a user-mode application can manipulate kernel memory structures to achieve unauthorized access to system resources that should remain protected. The implications include potential data theft, system compromise, and the ability to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. This type of vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials or system privileges to gain access to protected system resources. The flaw essentially allows attackers to break out of application sandboxing boundaries and access memory that should be restricted, potentially enabling further exploitation through additional vulnerabilities or privilege escalation attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems to the recommended versions that contain kernel-level fixes for the memory protection mechanisms. Apple's release notes indicate that the patch addresses the specific kernel memory access control issue that allowed crafted applications to bypass intended restrictions. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected devices to the latest operating system versions, particularly since this vulnerability affects multiple Apple platforms including mobile devices, desktop computers, and television systems. The mitigation approach aligns with standard security practices for kernel vulnerabilities, requiring system administrators to ensure all endpoints are updated with the latest security patches. Additional defensive measures include implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent installation of untrusted applications, monitoring for suspicious memory access patterns, and maintaining comprehensive system monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify malicious applications attempting to leverage kernel-level exploits. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date system patches and the potential risks associated with running outdated operating system versions that may contain unpatched kernel-level security flaws.