CVE-2023-37285 - Out-of-Bounds Read Addressed in iOS, iPadOS, and macOS Kernel Privilege Escalation

A critical security vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-37285, has been recently discovered affecting various iOS, iPadOS, and macOS versions. This issue, an out-of-bounds read, was addressed with improved bounds checking and has been fixed in iOS 15.7.8, iPadOS 15.7.8, macOS Big Sur 11.7.9, macOS Monterey 12.6.8, and macOS Ventura 13.5. If exploited, an attacker can potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, compromising the security and integrity of the targeted system.

Exploit Details

The vulnerability lies in the bounds checking mechanism in specific versions of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. An out-of-bounds read occurs when an application reads data beyond the bounds of an allocated data structure. This can lead to various security issues, including unauthorized memory access and, in this case, kernel privilege escalation.

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must first find a way to run an arbitrary or malicious code on the target system, typically through a specially crafted app or website. Once the arbitrary code is running, the attacker can execute the exploit to gain kernel privileges, take control of the system, and execute additional malicious activities.

Code Snippet

A simplified example of code that can trigger an out-of-bounds read is provided below. This code should only be used for educational purposes and not be executed on a live system.

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>

int main() {
    int arr[10];
    int i;

    for (i = ; i <= 10; i++) {
        arr[i] = i * 10;
    }

    printf("Out of bounds read: %d\n", arr[10]);
    return ;
}

In this example, the program attempts to read the value in the 11th element of the arr array, even though the array only has 10 elements (from index  to 9). The out-of-bounds read attempts to access memory beyond the allocated boundaries, potentially causing unintended behavior.

Original References

The official security advisories related to CVE-2023-37285 for different Apple operating systems can be found at the following links:

1. iOS 15.7.8 and iPadOS 15.7.8: Apple Security Update
2. macOS Big Sur 11.7.9: Apple Security Update
3. macOS Monterey 12.6.8: Apple Security Update
4. macOS Ventura 13.5: Apple Security Update

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-37285, users should immediately update their devices to the latest software versions mentioned above. It is also essential to prevent third-party apps or websites from running arbitrary code on the system by enforcing strict security policies, including running only trusted apps, avoiding downloading files from untrusted sources, and avoiding clicking on suspicious links.

In conclusion, CVE-2023-37285 is a critical vulnerability that affects several iOS, iPadOS, and macOS versions. With the potential to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, it is essential to apply the necessary security updates and maintain strong security practices to protect against such threats.

Timeline

Published on: 07/28/2023 05:15:10 UTC
Last modified on: 08/03/2023 16:59:16 UTC