CVE-2026-24070 in Native Access
Summary
by MITRE • 02/02/2026
During the installation of the Native Access application, a privileged helper `com.native-instruments.NativeAccess.Helper2`, which is used by Native Access to trigger functions via XPC communication like copy-file, remove or set-permissions, is deployed as well. The communication with the XPC service of the privileged helper is only allowed if the client process is signed with the corresponding certificate and fulfills the following code signing requirement: "anchor trusted and certificate leaf[subject.CN] = \"Developer ID Application: Native Instruments GmbH (83K5EG6Z9V)\""
The Native Access application was found to be signed with the `com.apple.security.cs.allow-dyld-environment-variables` and `com.apple.security.cs.disable-library-validation` entitlements leading to DYLIB injection and therefore command execution in the context of this application. A low privileged user can exploit the DYLIB injection to trigger functions of the privileged helper XPC service resulting in privilege escalation by first deleting the /etc/sudoers file and then copying a malicious version of that file to /etc/sudoers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/12/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2026-24070 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Native Access application ecosystem developed by Native Instruments GmbH. This vulnerability stems from the improper handling of code signing entitlements during the application's installation process, creating a dangerous attack surface that allows unprivileged users to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges. The privileged helper component com.native-instruments.NativeAccess.Helper2 operates with elevated permissions and communicates via XPC (Cross-Process Communication) mechanisms, making it a prime target for exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the application's use of two dangerous entitlements that fundamentally compromise the security model. The com.apple.security.cs.allow-dyld-environment-variables entitlement permits the application to load dynamic libraries from arbitrary locations, while the com.apple.security.cs.disable-library-validation entitlement disables the system's library validation checks that normally prevent loading of unsigned or malicious code. These entitlements effectively create a backdoor that allows attackers to inject malicious dynamic libraries into the running process, bypassing normal code signing enforcement mechanisms that should prevent such injections.
The exploitation chain begins with a low-privileged user leveraging the DYLIB injection capability to load malicious code into the Native Access application process. This malicious code can then communicate with the privileged helper XPC service through the established communication channel, which is designed to only accept connections from properly signed applications. However, the vulnerability allows the malicious code to masquerade as a legitimate client due to the relaxed security restrictions. The attacker can then invoke the helper service's functions to perform operations such as file deletion and replacement, specifically targeting the /etc/sudoers file which controls administrative privileges on macOS systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and directly violates fundamental security principles of privilege separation and code integrity. The ability to delete and replace the /etc/sudoers file provides complete control over system administrative access, effectively granting the attacker root privileges without requiring any authentication or prior access to administrative accounts. This vulnerability demonstrates a critical failure in the application's security design where the combination of overly permissive entitlements and the existence of privileged helper services creates a path for privilege escalation that bypasses standard operating system security controls.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-426 Untrusted Pointer Dereference and CWE-276 Incorrect Permissions, specifically manifesting as a privilege escalation vulnerability through the manipulation of code signing entitlements. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this represents a privilege escalation technique using dynamic link library injection and the exploitation of legitimate system tools for unauthorized access. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics of T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1548 Abuse of Functionality, as it leverages legitimate application functionality to achieve unauthorized system access.
The recommended mitigations involve immediate removal of the vulnerable application and its associated privileged helper components, followed by the implementation of proper code signing practices that do not include dangerous entitlements such as com.apple.security.cs.allow-dyld-environment-variables and com.apple.security.cs.disable-library-validation. System administrators should also implement monitoring for suspicious XPC communication patterns and ensure that all applications properly validate their dynamic library loading behavior. Additionally, the use of system integrity protection mechanisms should be enforced to prevent unauthorized modification of critical system files such as /etc/sudoers, and the application should be restructured to eliminate the need for such dangerous entitlements while maintaining legitimate functionality.