Advisory Details

November 5th, 2018

(Pwn2Own) Apple macOS task_set_special_port Port Overwrite Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

ZDI-18-1339
ZDI-CAN-5821

CVE ID CVE-2018-4237
CVSS SCORE 7.2, AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
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 handling of Mach ports. The issue results from ability to modify ports that are inherited by child processes. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to 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/en-us/HT208848
DISCLOSURE TIMELINE
  • 2018-04-07 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
  • 2018-11-05 - Coordinated public release of advisory
  • 2018-11-05 - Advisory Updated
CREDIT Samuel Gross (saelo)
BACK TO ADVISORIES