CVE-2017-6978 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. macOS before 10.12.5 is affected. The issue involves the "Accessibility Framework" 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-2017-6978 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's macOS operating system affecting versions prior to 10.12.5. This issue resides within the Accessibility Framework component which serves as a crucial interface for assistive technologies and system-level interactions. The vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within the framework's implementation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's privilege escalation mechanisms. The Accessibility Framework is designed to provide accessibility services for users with disabilities, but its implementation contains a memory corruption flaw that can be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses buffer overflow vulnerabilities in heap memory. Attackers can craft a malicious application that triggers memory corruption within the Accessibility Framework, leading to potential privilege escalation from standard user context to system-level privileges. This memory corruption occurs when the framework fails to properly validate input parameters or handle memory allocation for accessibility services, allowing attackers to manipulate memory structures and execute malicious code. The flaw specifically affects how the framework processes accessibility requests, particularly when handling certain input data structures that are passed through the system's accessibility APIs.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6978 extends beyond simple code execution, as it can potentially enable full system compromise when exploited successfully. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain root-level access to affected systems, allowing them to install persistent malware, modify system files, and access sensitive user data without detection. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, as it can be triggered through a crafted application that leverages the accessibility framework's legitimate functionality. This makes the attack surface particularly dangerous in environments where users may inadvertently run malicious applications or where social engineering techniques are employed to convince users to execute compromised software.
The threat landscape for this vulnerability demonstrates how accessibility frameworks can become attack vectors when not properly secured, as highlighted by ATT&CK technique T1056.001 which covers input injection attacks. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management strategies to address this vulnerability, as Apple released macOS 10.12.5 to remediate the issue. Additional mitigations include restricting user privileges, implementing application whitelisting policies, and monitoring for suspicious accessibility service usage patterns. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of secure coding practices in system-level components, particularly those that handle user input and provide privileged access interfaces. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of broader threat modeling exercises for macOS environments, particularly in enterprise settings where privileged access can lead to significant data breaches and system compromise.