CVE-2022-32897 - Vulnerability Discovered in macOS Monterey 12.5: Memory Corruption Issue Addressed for Improved Validation with Potential Arbitrary Code Execution

The cybersecurity community has recently discovered a new vulnerability under the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) ID CVE-2022-32897, which affects macOS Monterey 12.5. This vulnerability is identified as a memory corruption issue, and its exploitation could enable threat actors to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

In this long-read post, we will provide an in-depth analysis of CVE-2022-32897, its potential impact, and solutions applied to address the issue. We will also share code snippets, links to original references, and details regarding the exploit.

Vulnerability Details

CVE-2022-32897 is a memory corruption issue that results due to inadequate validation measures when processing TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) files. Cybercriminals could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code when a maliciously crafted TIFF file is processed by the target system. This vulnerability has been rated with a CVSS score of 6.5 (Medium severity).

Here's a code snippet demonstrating the vulnerability

void vulnerable_function(uint8_t *input_data, size_t input_data_size) {
  TIFF *tiff;
  uint32_t *image_data;
  uint32_t image_width, image_height;

  tiff = TIFFClientOpen("memory", "r", (thandle_t)&input_data,
                        tiff_read, tiff_write, tiff_seek, tiff_close,
                        tiff_size, tiff_map, tiff_unmap);
  if (tiff) {
    if (TIFFGetField(tiff, TIFFTAG_IMAGEWIDTH, &image_width) &&
        TIFFGetField(tiff, TIFFTAG_IMAGELENGTH, &image_height)) {
      image_data = (uint32_t *)_TIFFmalloc(image_width * image_height * sizeof(uint32_t));
      if (image_data) {
        memset(image_data, , image_width * image_height * sizeof(uint32_t));
        if (TIFFReadRGBAImageOriented(tiff, image_width, image_height, image_data, ORIENTATION_TOPLEFT, )) {
          // Process image_data...
        }
        _TIFFfree(image_data);
      }
    }
    TIFFClose(tiff);
  }
}

The above code snippet depicts a vulnerable function that reads a TIFF image from memory and processes it. The key vulnerability lies in the lack of proper validation, causing memory corruption.

Exploit Details

To exploit CVE-2022-32897, an attacker would need to create a maliciously crafted TIFF file designed to trigger memory corruption. The attacker would then need to deliver the malicious TIFF file to the target user's system, potentially using various social engineering or phishing techniques.

Upon processing the malicious TIFF file, the target system could experience memory corruption, resulting in potentially arbitrary code execution. This would allow the attacker to perform unauthorized actions on the target system, such as exfiltrating sensitive data, modifying or deleting files, and potentially gaining unauthorized access to the target network.

Mitigation Measures and Fixes

Apple, the developer of macOS, has addressed the vulnerability in macOS Monterey 12.5. The update introduces improved validation procedures for processing TIFF files, reducing the risk of memory corruption and potential arbitrary code execution.

It is strongly recommended that macOS users promptly update their systems to the latest version (macOS Monterey 12.5) to protect against this vulnerability.

Original References

1. NVD - CVE-2022-32897
2. Apple Security Updates - macOS Monterey 12.5
3. CVSS Details and Severity - CVE-2022-32897

Conclusion

CVE-2022-32897 is a critical vulnerability affecting macOS Monterey 12.5. By exploiting this vulnerability, threat actors could potentially execute arbitrary code on the targeted system, causing significant damage.

Users of macOS should ensure that their systems are updated to the latest version (macOS Monterey 12.5) as soon as possible to mitigate the risk posed by this vulnerability. In addition, users should always exercise caution when opening files from unknown or untrusted sources and remain vigilant in educating themselves on the latest cybersecurity threats and best practices.

Timeline

Published on: 06/10/2024 20:15:12 UTC
Last modified on: 07/03/2024 01:38:33 UTC