CVE-2017-7036 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 bypass intended memory-read restrictions via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7036 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 the foundational software interface between the operating system and graphics hardware. The issue manifests as a privilege escalation vulnerability that enables malicious applications to circumvent memory protection mechanisms that are fundamental to operating system security architecture. The flaw operates by exploiting a design weakness in how the graphics driver handles memory access controls, allowing unauthorized code execution with elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the Intel Graphics Driver module. Attackers can craft malicious applications that manipulate the graphics driver's memory access patterns to bypass the normal kernel memory protection boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-264 category of "Permissions, Privileges and Access Controls" and specifically relates to improper access control mechanisms. The flaw allows an attacker to read memory locations that should normally be restricted to kernel-level processes only, effectively breaking the memory protection model that separates user-space applications from system-level resources. This bypass capability enables attackers to access sensitive system information, potentially including kernel memory contents, credentials, and other protected data structures.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7036 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it creates a persistent backdoor for attackers to maintain system control. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows malicious actors to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector requires only a crafted application that can be installed and executed by a user, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may inadvertently install malicious software. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes "Local Privilege Escalation" and T1059 which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter" as attackers can leverage the elevated privileges to execute additional malicious payloads. The affected macOS versions through 10.12.5 provided attackers with an effective pathway to bypass the system's security model without requiring physical access or specialized hardware.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability center on immediate system updates to macOS 10.12.6 or later versions where Apple has implemented patches to address the memory access control issues within the Intel Graphics Driver. System administrators should prioritize deployment of these security updates across all affected devices, particularly in enterprise environments where multiple macOS systems may be in use. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unsigned or untrusted applications, monitoring for suspicious graphics driver activity, and maintaining regular security audits of system components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping graphics drivers updated as they often serve as attack surfaces for memory corruption exploits. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify unusual memory access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, as well as regular security assessments that evaluate the overall security posture of macOS environments against known vulnerabilities.