CVE-2017-2546 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. macOS before 10.12.5 is affected. The issue involves the "Kernel" 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
This vulnerability resides within the kernel component of macOS versions prior to 10.12.5, representing a critical security flaw that enables attackers to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code. The issue stems from improper memory management handling within the kernel space, creating a pathway for malicious applications to gain elevated privileges and potentially compromise the entire system. The vulnerability manifests when a crafted application is executed, triggering memory corruption that can be exploited to bypass system security controls and execute malicious payloads with kernel-level privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under the category of kernel memory corruption, which aligns with common weakness enumerations such as CWE-119 and CWE-125 that describe improper access to memory locations. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting a malicious application that, when executed, exploits the kernel's memory handling mechanisms to overwrite critical system structures or execute arbitrary code within the kernel context. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the lowest level of the operating system, providing attackers with unprecedented access to system resources and the ability to manipulate core system functions.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2546 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it creates opportunities for persistent system compromise and data exfiltration. Once exploited, attackers can maintain long-term access to the compromised system, potentially establishing backdoors or using the elevated privileges to install additional malware components. The vulnerability also presents a significant risk for denial of service scenarios, where attackers could crash system processes or corrupt kernel memory structures, leading to system instability and potential complete system failure. Organizations running affected macOS versions face substantial risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches through this kernel-level exploit.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates to macOS 10.12.5 or later versions, which contain the necessary kernel patches to address the memory corruption issue. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all endpoints receive the security updates promptly. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted applications, monitoring for suspicious kernel-level activities, and maintaining regular system backups to facilitate recovery in case of successful exploitation. From an att&ck framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can be used to establish persistent access to target systems, making it a critical concern for enterprise security teams implementing comprehensive threat detection and response strategies.