Advisory Details

August 29th, 2016

Apple OS X DspFuncLib Use-After-Free Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

ZDI-16-496
ZDI-CAN-3598

CVE ID CVE-2016-4648
CVSS SCORE 6.9, AV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
AFFECTED VENDORS Apple
AFFECTED PRODUCTS OS X
VULNERABILITY DETAILS


This vulnerability allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Apple OS X. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must open a malicious file.

The specific flaw exists within the DspFuncLib extension. The issue lies in the failure to properly handle error conditions leading to a dangling pointer being reused after it has been freed. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to raise privileges and execute code under the context of root.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS Apple has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More details can be found at:
https://support.apple.com/HT206903
DISCLOSURE TIMELINE
  • 2016-04-01 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
  • 2016-08-29 - Coordinated public release of advisory
CREDIT Jack Tang and Moony Li of Trend Micro
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