CVE-2017-7155 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. macOS before 10.13.2 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 • 08/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7155 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's macOS operating system affecting versions prior to 10.13.2. This issue specifically targets the Intel Graphics Driver component which serves as the primary interface between the operating system and graphics hardware, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to escalate privileges or disrupt system operations. The vulnerability exists within the graphics driver's handling of memory management and input validation, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the system's graphics processing capabilities for unauthorized code execution.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from improper memory handling within the Intel Graphics Driver implementation, which allows attackers to craft specially designed applications that trigger memory corruption conditions. When such malicious applications are executed, they can manipulate the graphics driver's memory structures in ways that bypass normal security boundaries, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges typically reserved for system-level processes. This memory corruption vulnerability operates at the kernel level, meaning that successful exploitation could provide attackers with root-level access to the affected system. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are common in graphics driver implementations due to the complex memory management requirements of GPU operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7155 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it creates multiple attack vectors that can be leveraged by adversaries. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to either execute malicious code in a privileged context, effectively bypassing standard user permissions and system security controls, or to cause system instability through memory corruption that results in denial of service conditions. The vulnerability's potential for privilege escalation makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where macOS systems may be running outdated versions, and where attackers could use this flaw to establish persistent access to networks. Organizations running macOS versions before 10.13.2 face significant risk as this vulnerability can be exploited through seemingly benign applications that trigger the graphics driver's flawed memory handling routines.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7155 primarily focus on immediate system updates and operational security measures. The most effective remediation involves upgrading affected macOS systems to version 10.13.2 or later, which includes patches specifically addressing the Intel Graphics Driver memory handling issues. System administrators should prioritize patch management processes to ensure all macOS devices within their environment receive these critical updates promptly. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted applications that could trigger the vulnerability, monitoring system logs for unusual graphics driver activity, and employing endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block malicious applications attempting to exploit this flaw. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and defense evasion, as attackers could use the flaw to establish persistent access while potentially avoiding detection mechanisms that rely on normal system behavior patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential lateral movement that could occur if an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges.