CVE-2023-42930 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 03/28/2024
This issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in macOS Ventura 13.6.3, macOS Sonoma 14.2, macOS Monterey 12.7.2. An app may be able to modify protected parts of the file system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2025
This vulnerability represents a significant privilege escalation flaw in apple's operating systems that allows malicious applications to bypass critical file system protections. The issue stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that permit unauthorized modification of system-protected directories and files. Attackers could exploit this weakness to gain elevated privileges and potentially compromise the entire system integrity. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of macos including monterey 12.7.2, sonoma 14.2, and ventura 13.6.3, indicating a widespread impact across the apple ecosystem. This type of flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and undermines the fundamental security model of the operating system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the category of improper access control as classified by cwe-284, where applications can manipulate protected system resources without proper authorization. The flaw likely involves insufficient sandboxing controls or inadequate kernel-level checks that should prevent user-space applications from modifying critical system files. This represents a classic privilege escalation vector that aligns with attack techniques described in the mitre att&ck framework under privilege escalation tactics. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor that allows applications to circumvent the operating system's mandatory access controls and file system protection mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file modification capabilities and could enable attackers to install persistent malware, modify system binaries, or establish footholds for further exploitation. Once an attacker gains access to protected file system areas, they could potentially modify system configurations, install rootkits, or corrupt critical system components. The vulnerability's presence across multiple macos versions suggests that attackers could target different user bases depending on their specific environment. Organizations using apple devices face increased risk of supply chain attacks or targeted malware campaigns that exploit this weakness to maintain long-term system access.
The fix implemented by apple addresses the root cause through enhanced validation checks that properly enforce file system access controls and sandbox boundaries. These improvements likely involve stricter kernel-level enforcement of file permissions and enhanced monitoring of system resource access patterns. Users should immediately update to the patched versions of macos to mitigate this risk, as the vulnerability could be exploited by both targeted attacks and automated malware campaigns. Security administrators should monitor for any suspicious file system modifications and consider implementing additional endpoint protection measures to detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process requires system administrators to ensure all macos devices are updated to the appropriate patched versions, with particular attention to legacy systems that may not receive automatic updates.