CVE-2017-2545 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. macOS before 10.12.5 is affected. The issue involves the "IOGraphics" component. It allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2545 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's macOS operating system affecting versions prior to 10.12.5. This issue resides within the IOGraphics component which serves as a fundamental part of the graphics subsystem responsible for managing display drivers and graphics processing operations. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within this privileged system component, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors to gain elevated privileges on affected systems. The IOGraphics framework operates at a low level within the kernel space, making it particularly dangerous as any exploitation could potentially lead to complete system compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves memory corruption that occurs when the IOGraphics component processes specially crafted input from malicious applications. This flaw allows attackers to manipulate memory structures in a way that can result in arbitrary code execution within the privileged kernel context. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking enables attackers to overwrite memory regions that control program execution flow. The attack vector requires a crafted application to be executed by an unsuspecting user, making this a prime example of a user-mode exploit that escalates privileges through kernel-level vulnerabilities. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability can manifest as either privilege escalation or denial of service conditions, depending on how the attacker manipulates the corrupted memory structures.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2545 extends beyond simple exploitation as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, effectively bypassing standard user access controls and security mechanisms. This vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited to install malware, modify system files, or establish backdoors that persist across reboots. The denial of service component of this vulnerability can be particularly disruptive in enterprise environments where macOS systems serve as critical infrastructure components, potentially causing system crashes or rendering devices unusable until manual intervention occurs. The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1499 which covers "Endpoint Denial of Service", demonstrating how this single vulnerability can be leveraged across multiple attack phases. Organizations running affected macOS versions face significant risk as this vulnerability can be exploited remotely through malicious applications or locally through social engineering tactics that trick users into executing compromised software.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2545 primarily focus on immediate system updates to macOS 10.12.5 or later versions where Apple has implemented proper bounds checking and memory management controls within the IOGraphics component. System administrators should prioritize patch deployment across all affected devices and implement application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of unknown or potentially malicious applications. Network security measures such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help monitor for suspicious application execution patterns, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to scan for known malicious indicators associated with this vulnerability. Additional defensive measures include regular security audits of system configurations, monitoring for unauthorized privilege escalation attempts, and maintaining comprehensive backup strategies to ensure rapid recovery in case of successful exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping all system components updated as it demonstrates how seemingly isolated kernel components can create widespread security implications when not properly secured against memory corruption attacks.