CVE-2022-26694 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 05/26/2022
This issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in macOS Monterey 12.4. A plug-in may be able to inherit the application's permissions and access user data.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/28/2022
This vulnerability represents a privilege escalation risk in macOS Monterey versions prior to 12.4 where third-party plug-ins could potentially inherit application permissions and gain unauthorized access to user data. The flaw stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that allow plug-in components to operate with elevated privileges beyond their intended scope. The issue manifests when applications load third-party extensions that fail to properly enforce security boundaries between the host application and the plug-in components. This creates an attack surface where malicious or compromised plug-ins could leverage inherited permissions to access sensitive user information, system resources, or perform actions that would normally be restricted. The vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege by allowing unauthorized data access through legitimate application pathways.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the improper handling of permission inheritance during plug-in loading processes within macOS application frameworks. When applications load extensions, the system should enforce strict sandboxing and permission boundaries to prevent unauthorized access. However, the vulnerability allows plug-in components to bypass these security controls, effectively creating a path for privilege escalation. This issue aligns with CWE-276, which addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources, and represents a failure in access control mechanisms. The problem is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level where applications have broad access to user data and system resources. Attackers could exploit this by crafting malicious plug-ins that leverage the inherited permissions to access files, read user data, or perform unauthorized operations on behalf of the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data access, as it enables potential lateral movement within the system and could facilitate more sophisticated attacks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain persistent access to user data, potentially compromising sensitive information stored locally on the device. The vulnerability affects all applications that utilize plug-in architectures and could be particularly dangerous when targeting productivity applications, browsers, or system utilities that have broad user data access. The security implications are significant because the exploitation requires minimal user interaction, as the vulnerability is triggered during normal application operation when plug-ins are loaded. This makes it an attractive target for threat actors seeking to establish persistent access to user systems.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching to macOS Monterey 12.4 where the issue has been resolved through enhanced permission validation mechanisms. System administrators should ensure all user devices are updated to the latest macOS version to prevent exploitation. Additional protective measures include implementing strict application whitelisting policies, monitoring for unauthorized plug-in installations, and conducting regular security audits of installed applications. Organizations should also consider deploying endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify anomalous behavior patterns associated with privilege escalation attempts. The fix addresses the root cause by implementing stricter validation of plug-in permissions and ensuring that inherited privileges are properly scoped to prevent unauthorized data access. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers execution through application loading, and T1078 which covers valid accounts and legitimate credentials for persistence. Regular security assessments and user education about the risks of installing untrusted plug-ins are also recommended to reduce the attack surface and prevent exploitation attempts.