CVE-2017-7050 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. macOS before 10.12.6 is affected. The issue involves the "Bluetooth" 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-2017-7050 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's macOS operating system affecting versions prior to 10.12.6. This weakness resides within the Bluetooth component of the system, which serves as a fundamental networking interface for wireless communication between devices. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of crafted Bluetooth packets or applications that interact with the Bluetooth subsystem, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors. The flaw specifically manifests when the system processes specially designed Bluetooth communications that trigger memory corruption issues within the kernel-level Bluetooth drivers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to leverage a privilege escalation attack through a crafted application that communicates with the Bluetooth subsystem. This flaw operates at a low system level where the Bluetooth driver processes incoming data without proper validation, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The attack requires minimal user interaction beyond installing or running the malicious application, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may unknowingly execute compromised software. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and privilege escalation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to macOS systems as it enables attackers to gain root-level access or cause system instability through denial of service attacks. The memory corruption aspect of the vulnerability can result in system crashes, application failures, or complete system shutdowns, while the privilege escalation component allows for persistent malicious access to the affected systems. The Bluetooth subsystem's role in connecting to various devices including keyboards, mice, headphones, and other peripherals means that the attack surface extends beyond simple application execution to include any device that communicates through Bluetooth protocols. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments where multiple Bluetooth devices are in use.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a critical threat that requires immediate attention and remediation. The recommended mitigation involves upgrading to macOS 10.12.6 or later versions where Apple has implemented proper input validation and memory management controls within the Bluetooth subsystem. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect unusual Bluetooth activity and consider disabling Bluetooth functionality on systems where it is not required. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper kernel-level input validation and memory safety practices, aligning with ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion through system component manipulation. Additionally, this vulnerability highlights the need for comprehensive patch management programs that ensure timely deployment of security updates across all managed systems.
The broader implications of CVE-2017-7050 extend beyond immediate exploitation scenarios to represent systemic security weaknesses in how operating system components handle external communication protocols. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of robust input validation in kernel space operations and the potential for seemingly benign subsystems like Bluetooth to become attack vectors for sophisticated exploitation campaigns. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to Bluetooth-based attacks and maintain awareness of similar vulnerabilities within other system components that may exhibit similar patterns of memory corruption and privilege escalation.