CVE-2017-7017 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. macOS before 10.12.6 is affected. The issue involves the "Intel Graphics Driver" 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 • 01/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7017 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's macOS operating system affecting versions prior to 10.12.6. This issue specifically targets the Intel Graphics Driver component, which serves as a fundamental interface between the operating system and graphics hardware. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the graphics driver's code execution pathways, creating a dangerous attack surface that could be exploited by malicious actors to gain elevated privileges or disrupt system operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests through memory corruption issues that occur when the Intel Graphics Driver processes specially crafted applications. Attackers can leverage this flaw by developing or utilizing malicious applications that trigger specific code paths within the graphics driver, leading to arbitrary code execution in a privileged context. This particular weakness aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to manipulate memory locations that should remain protected, enabling them to execute malicious code with the same privileges as legitimate system processes. The attack vector typically involves loading a crafted application that exploits the driver's handling of graphics-related data structures, potentially causing buffer overflows or other memory corruption scenarios that result in privilege escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7017 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a potential pathway for persistent system compromise. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, effectively bypassing standard user access controls and system security measures. The memory corruption aspects of this flaw also present denial of service risks, where system stability could be compromised through controlled memory manipulation. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation through exploitation of software vulnerabilities and defense evasion through the use of system drivers for malicious purposes. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning given that it affects the graphics driver component, which is integral to system operation and frequently interacts with user applications, making exploitation relatively straightforward and potentially widespread.
Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the installation of macOS 10.12.6 or subsequent updates that address the Intel Graphics Driver flaw. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious application execution patterns and ensure that all endpoints are running patched versions of the operating system. The mitigation strategy should also include regular security assessments of graphics-related applications and implementation of application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted code. Additionally, network security controls should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts through network-based indicators of compromise related to graphics driver behavior. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date system components, particularly those that interface directly with hardware and operate with elevated privileges, as they represent high-value targets for attackers seeking persistent access to systems.