CVE-2023-41986 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/27/2023
The issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, macOS Sonoma 14. An app may be able to modify protected parts of the file system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-41986 represents a significant security flaw in Apple's iOS and macOS operating systems that allows unauthorized modification of protected file system components. This issue stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the system's file access controls, creating a pathway for malicious applications to bypass normal security boundaries and gain access to critical system directories. The vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma 14, indicating that Apple's security team identified this as a critical weakness requiring immediate attention.
The technical nature of this flaw falls under the category of privilege escalation and file system manipulation, where an application could potentially modify protected system files that should normally be restricted to system processes or administrators only. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it undermines the fundamental security model of modern operating systems, where proper isolation between applications and system resources is essential for maintaining overall system integrity. The issue is classified as a weakness in the implementation of access control mechanisms, which aligns with CWE-284, which specifically addresses improper access control vulnerabilities. The vulnerability essentially allows an app to escalate its privileges beyond what is normally permitted, enabling it to modify critical system components that could compromise the entire operating environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple file modification capabilities, as it creates potential attack vectors for more sophisticated malicious activities. An attacker could exploit this weakness to install persistent backdoors, modify system binaries, or corrupt critical system files that would otherwise require administrator privileges or special system-level access. This vulnerability could be leveraged to undermine the security assurances that users expect from their operating systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise or data exfiltration. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where iOS and macOS devices may be used to access sensitive corporate networks and data, as this vulnerability could enable attackers to establish footholds within otherwise secure network perimeters. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability would map to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms, specifically targeting the system's file system integrity and access control enforcement.
The remediation for CVE-2023-41986 was implemented through enhanced validation checks that strengthen the operating system's file system access controls. Apple's solution involved improving the underlying mechanisms that govern how applications interact with protected system directories, ensuring that proper authorization checks are performed before any modifications can be made to critical system components. This fix represents a typical approach to addressing access control vulnerabilities by implementing more robust input validation and authorization enforcement. The update specifically addresses the root cause by ensuring that applications cannot bypass the normal security boundaries that protect system files, thereby maintaining the integrity of the operating system's security model. Organizations should prioritize updating to iOS 17, iPadOS 17, or macOS Sonoma 14 as soon as possible to mitigate this vulnerability and protect their systems from potential exploitation attempts that could leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to protected system resources.