CVE-2017-7044 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-2017-7044 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's macOS operating system affecting versions prior to 10.12.6. This weakness resides within the Intel Graphics Driver component, which serves as a crucial interface between the operating system and graphics hardware. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the graphics driver's kernel extension, creating a pathway for malicious code execution that operates at elevated privileges. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with a kernel-level buffer overflow or memory corruption issue that can be exploited through carefully crafted applications designed to trigger the vulnerable code path.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the graphics driver's memory management routines through specially constructed applications that leverage the driver's handling of graphics commands and data structures. When such malicious applications execute, they can corrupt memory within the graphics driver's kernel extension, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution with system-level privileges. This represents a severe privilege escalation vulnerability where user-mode applications can gain kernel-level access, violating fundamental security boundaries that protect operating system integrity. The memory corruption occurs during the processing of graphics-related data that flows through the Intel Graphics Driver's kernel extension, making it particularly dangerous as it operates in the most privileged execution context of the graphics subsystem.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7044 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and denial of service conditions. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can execute malicious code within the kernel context, potentially installing rootkits, modifying system files, or exfiltrating sensitive data without detection. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only a crafted application that can be delivered through various attack vectors including malicious email attachments, compromised websites, or social engineering campaigns. The affected macOS versions through 10.12.5 represent a significant attack surface as these systems were widely deployed in enterprise and consumer environments. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates the type of memory corruption issues that enable kernel exploitation. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that graphics drivers typically run with elevated privileges and have direct access to system memory, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking persistent system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7044 focus primarily on immediate system updates and operational security measures. Apple addressed this vulnerability through macOS 10.12.6 updates that included patches to the Intel Graphics Driver component, specifically targeting the memory handling routines that were susceptible to corruption. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of the security update and implement additional monitoring for suspicious graphics-related processes or memory access patterns. The vulnerability's nature makes it particularly susceptible to exploitation through zero-day attacks, as attackers can leverage the privilege escalation to establish persistent access. Security teams should monitor for potential exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis, process monitoring, and system integrity checks that could detect unauthorized modifications to graphics driver components. This vulnerability exemplifies the importance of maintaining up-to-date system software and demonstrates how kernel-level vulnerabilities can provide attackers with persistent access to compromised systems, making timely patch deployment critical for maintaining operational security and preventing long-term system compromise.