CVE-2017-7077 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. macOS before 10.13 is affected. The issue involves the "IOFireWireFamily" 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 • 01/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7077 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's macOS operating system affecting versions prior to 10.13. This issue resides within the IOFireWireFamily component which serves as the kernel extension responsible for managing FireWire hardware connections and related functionalities. The flaw manifests as a memory corruption vulnerability that can be exploited by malicious actors to gain elevated privileges or disrupt system operations. The vulnerability specifically targets the kernel-level FireWire driver implementation, creating a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within the IOFireWireFamily kernel extension. When a malicious application attempts to interact with FireWire hardware through the kernel extension, the system fails to properly validate the data structures being processed, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation. This memory corruption occurs during the handling of FireWire device enumeration and communication protocols, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite critical kernel memory regions. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition and CWE-787 as an out-of-bounds write, both of which are fundamental memory safety issues that enable arbitrary code execution. The attack vector requires local execution of a crafted application that can interact with FireWire hardware, making it particularly concerning for systems with FireWire ports.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7077 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system instability and complete compromise of affected macOS systems. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can execute code with kernel-level privileges, effectively bypassing all standard user-mode security controls and access restrictions. This elevated privilege level allows for complete system compromise, including the ability to install persistent malware, modify system files, and exfiltrate sensitive data without detection. The vulnerability also poses a denial of service risk where memory corruption can cause system crashes or reboots, potentially disrupting critical operations in enterprise environments. Organizations running macOS versions before 10.13 are particularly vulnerable as they lack the security patches that address this specific memory corruption issue in the FireWire subsystem, making them prime targets for advanced persistent threats and targeted attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7077 primarily focus on immediate system updates and hardware configuration adjustments. The most effective remediation involves upgrading affected macOS systems to version 10.13 or later, which includes patches that address the memory corruption issues within IOFireWireFamily. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management policies to ensure all systems receive updates promptly, particularly in environments where FireWire hardware is present. Additional mitigations include disabling FireWire ports when not in use, implementing strict application whitelisting policies, and monitoring for suspicious kernel-level activity. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation and T1106 for execution through kernel modules. Network administrators should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify anomalous kernel behavior indicative of memory corruption exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability creates distinct patterns of system call activity that can be monitored for defensive purposes.