Advisory Details

May 18th, 2017

(Pwn2Own) Apple macOS WindowServer Dragging Space Use-After-Free Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

ZDI-17-353
ZDI-CAN-4592

CVE ID CVE-2017-2537
CVSS SCORE 4.4, AV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
AFFECTED VENDORS Apple
AFFECTED PRODUCTS macOS
VULNERABILITY DETAILS


This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on vulnerable installations of Apple macOS. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.

The specific flaw exists within the WindowServer. The issue results from the lack of validating the existence of an object prior to performing operations on the object. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges under the context of the WindowServer.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS Apple has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More details can be found at:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207797
DISCLOSURE TIMELINE
  • 2017-03-17 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
  • 2017-05-18 - Coordinated public release of advisory
CREDIT Chaitin Security Research Lab
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