CVE-2018-4141 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. macOS before 10.13.5 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 • 03/20/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4141 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's macOS operating system affecting versions prior to 10.13.5. This issue specifically targets the Intel Graphics Driver component, which serves as a fundamental interface between the operating system and graphics hardware. The flaw manifests as a memory access control bypass that enables malicious applications to circumvent the intended restrictions governing memory read operations. This vulnerability resides within the kernel-level graphics driver subsystem, making it particularly dangerous as it operates at a privileged level of the operating system. The security implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation, as this flaw allows for unauthorized memory access that could potentially expose sensitive data or system information.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate memory protection mechanisms within the Intel Graphics Driver implementation. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious applications that leverage specific memory access patterns to bypass the normal memory read restrictions imposed by the operating system's security model. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-264 category of "Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls," specifically involving improper access control mechanisms. The vulnerability exploits the graphics driver's memory management functions to perform unauthorized reads from protected memory regions, essentially creating a backdoor through which attackers can access system resources they should not normally be able to reach. The flaw is particularly insidious because it operates within the graphics subsystem, which often runs with elevated privileges to ensure proper hardware functionality.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4141 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with a persistent method for accessing system memory that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. An attacker with a crafted malicious application could potentially extract sensitive information from other processes, access kernel memory, or even establish persistent access to the system. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege by allowing applications to perform memory operations that should be restricted to system-level processes only. The affected macOS versions prior to 10.13.5 represent a significant attack surface, as these systems would be vulnerable to exploitation by attackers who could craft malicious applications using this memory access bypass. The implications for enterprise environments are particularly concerning, as this flaw could enable attackers to access corporate data or establish footholds for further compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-4141 primarily focus on immediate system updates to macOS 10.13.5 or later versions, which contain the necessary patches to address the memory access control bypass. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts through unusual memory access patterns or suspicious application behavior. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional layers of defense, though these measures are secondary to the primary requirement of system updates. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security patches and highlights the risks associated with running outdated operating system versions. Security teams should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can monitor for unusual graphics driver behavior or memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of addressing graphics driver security flaws, as they often provide attackers with privileged access to system resources that can be leveraged for broader compromise. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically involving driver-level access and memory manipulation.