CVE-2023-38565 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 07/27/2023
A path handling issue was addressed with improved validation. This issue is fixed in macOS Monterey 12.6.8, iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6, macOS Big Sur 11.7.9, macOS Ventura 13.5, watchOS 9.6. An app may be able to gain root privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2023
This vulnerability represents a path handling issue that could potentially allow malicious applications to escalate privileges to root level access on affected Apple operating systems. The flaw exists within the operating system's file path validation mechanisms, which are critical components responsible for ensuring proper access controls and preventing unauthorized system modifications. The vulnerability affects multiple Apple platforms including macOS Monterey, Big Sur, Ventura, iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS, indicating a widespread impact across the company's ecosystem. The issue was addressed through improved validation measures that strengthen the operating system's ability to properly handle file paths and prevent malicious exploitation attempts.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the category of privilege escalation flaws that can be exploited through improper path validation. When an application attempts to access or manipulate system resources through file paths, the operating system must validate these paths to ensure they conform to security policies and do not attempt to access restricted areas of the file system. The weakness in path handling could allow an attacker to craft malicious file paths that bypass normal security checks, potentially enabling them to gain root privileges and execute arbitrary code with the highest level of system access. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning because it could allow an attacker to completely compromise the security of an affected device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as root access provides attackers with complete control over the affected system. With root privileges, an attacker could modify critical system files, install persistent backdoors, monitor network traffic, access encrypted data, and perform other malicious activities that would otherwise be restricted by normal security controls. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Apple devices including desktop computers, mobile devices, and wearables, making it a significant concern for organizations that rely on Apple products for their computing infrastructure. The fact that multiple versions of macOS and iOS are affected indicates that this vulnerability has been present for an extended period, potentially providing attackers with ample time to develop and deploy exploits.
Apple's response to this vulnerability involved implementing improved validation mechanisms that strengthen the operating system's path handling capabilities. The fixes are included in specific software updates for macOS Monterey 12.6.8, iOS 16.6, iPadOS 16.6, macOS Big Sur 11.7.9, macOS Ventura 13.5, and watchOS 9.6. These updates represent the standard mitigation approach for path handling vulnerabilities, which typically involves implementing stricter input validation, sanitization of file paths, and enhanced access control checks. The remediation aligns with common security best practices for addressing privilege escalation vulnerabilities and follows industry standards for secure coding practices. Organizations should prioritize deployment of these updates to protect their systems from potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability could be leveraged by sophisticated attackers to establish persistent access to affected devices and potentially compromise entire networks through compromised endpoints.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in system security and aligns with common attack patterns documented in the attack mitigation framework. The path handling issue could potentially be classified under CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) or similar path traversal categories, which are frequently targeted by attackers seeking to exploit operating system security controls. The remediation approach taken by Apple reflects standard security practices for addressing such vulnerabilities through improved validation rather than attempting to patch the underlying system architecture. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for comprehensive security testing and validation of system components, particularly those involved in access control and privilege management.