CVE-2017-7035 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-2017-7035 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's macOS operating system affecting versions prior to 10.12.6. This weakness specifically targets the Intel Graphics Driver component, which serves as a fundamental interface between the operating system and graphics hardware. The flaw exists within the kernel-level graphics subsystem that handles rendering operations and memory management for graphical user interfaces. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through carefully crafted applications that leverage memory corruption techniques to gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability falls under the category of privilege escalation and memory corruption as defined by common weakness enumeration standards.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the Intel Graphics Driver kernel extension. When a malicious application attempts to interact with the graphics subsystem through specific API calls, the driver fails to properly validate memory allocations and buffer boundaries. This leads to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. The flaw essentially allows a user-mode application to manipulate kernel memory structures through crafted graphics operations, bypassing standard security boundaries. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers to escalate their privileges from standard user accounts to system-level access, providing complete control over the affected system.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7035 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can execute malicious code with root-level privileges, effectively bypassing all standard user access controls and security mechanisms. This includes the ability to install persistent backdoors, modify system files, monitor user activities, and access sensitive data without detection. The vulnerability also presents a denial of service risk where carefully crafted graphics operations can cause system crashes or kernel panics, rendering the affected system unusable. Organizations running vulnerable macOS versions face significant risk as this flaw could be exploited by both targeted attackers and automated malware campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7035 primarily focus on immediate system updates and operational security measures. The most effective solution involves upgrading to macOS 10.12.6 or later versions where Apple has implemented proper memory validation and input sanitization within the graphics driver component. System administrators should prioritize patch deployment across all affected endpoints and monitor for exploitation attempts through security event logs. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted graphics applications, monitoring for unusual kernel memory operations, and maintaining regular system backups for rapid recovery. Organizations should also consider network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation and implement endpoint detection and response solutions to identify anomalous behavior patterns associated with this vulnerability type. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date system patches and highlights the risks associated with kernel-level vulnerabilities that can be exploited through seemingly benign user applications. The flaw aligns with attack patterns documented in the attack tree framework where initial access through social engineering or malicious software can lead to system compromise through privilege escalation techniques.