CVE-2022-26706 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 05/26/2022
An access issue was addressed with additional sandbox restrictions on third-party applications. This issue is fixed in tvOS 15.5, iOS 15.5 and iPadOS 15.5, watchOS 8.6, macOS Big Sur 11.6.6, macOS Monterey 12.4. A sandboxed process may be able to circumvent sandbox restrictions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-26706 represents a critical sandbox escape issue affecting multiple Apple operating systems including iOS, tvOS, watchOS, and macOS. This access control flaw allows sandboxed processes to potentially bypass the security restrictions that are fundamental to Apple's sandboxing architecture, which is designed to isolate applications and prevent unauthorized access to system resources. The issue stems from insufficient sandbox restrictions on third-party applications, undermining the core security model that protects users from malicious software and unauthorized system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a flaw in how Apple's sandboxing mechanisms enforce access controls for third-party applications running on affected systems. When applications operate within the sandboxed environment, they should be restricted from accessing resources outside their designated boundaries. However, this vulnerability allows processes to circumvent these restrictions, potentially enabling unauthorized access to sensitive system components, user data, or other applications' memory spaces. The flaw specifically affects the sandboxing enforcement logic, which is classified under CWE-276, representing improper access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized access to system resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-26706 is significant as it provides attackers with potential means to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to system resources. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code within the sandboxed environment and then exploit the bypass to access restricted system areas. This could result in data theft, system compromise, or unauthorized modification of system components. The vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1548.003, which involves bypassing user access controls through sandbox escapes, and T1068, which covers local privilege escalation attacks. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it affects all major Apple platforms, increasing the potential for exploitation across various device types.
Apple addressed this vulnerability through comprehensive updates released as part of iOS 15.5, tvOS 15.5, iPadOS 15.5, watchOS 8.6, macOS Big Sur 11.6.6, and macOS Monterey 12.4. These updates implemented additional sandbox restrictions and enhanced access control enforcement mechanisms to prevent the circumvention of sandbox boundaries. Organizations and users should prioritize deployment of these security updates to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The fix represents a critical security enhancement that reinforces Apple's sandboxing architecture, which is fundamental to the security model of all Apple operating systems. System administrators should ensure that all affected devices are updated promptly, as the vulnerability could potentially be exploited by sophisticated attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or system resources. The remediation approach focuses on strengthening the underlying access control mechanisms that govern sandbox behavior, addressing the root cause of the vulnerability through enhanced enforcement of system boundaries.