Source: cve@mitre.org
Unspecified vulnerability in the Mac OS X kernel before 10.3.8 allows local users to cause a denial of service (temporary hang) via unspecified attack vectors related to the fan control unit (FCU) driver.
Local users can trigger a denial-of-service (DoS) condition on affected Mac OS X systems by exploiting a vulnerability within the fan control unit (FCU) driver. This unspecified flaw allows attackers to cause a temporary system hang, disrupting normal operations and potentially leading to data loss if not properly addressed.
Step 1: Triggering the Vulnerability: A local user, with or without elevated privileges, interacts with the FCU driver.
Step 2: Input Manipulation: The user sends a crafted input to the FCU driver, potentially through a system call or a custom application.
Step 3: Driver Processing: The FCU driver processes the malicious input.
Step 4: Resource Exhaustion/Logic Flaw: Due to a flaw in the driver's logic, the input triggers a condition that leads to resource exhaustion, a race condition, or an invalid state.
Step 5: System Hang: The driver enters an unstable state, leading to a temporary system hang or denial of service.
The vulnerability resides within the Mac OS X kernel's FCU driver. The exact nature of the flaw is unspecified in the CVE description, but it likely involves a logic error or resource exhaustion issue within the driver's handling of fan control commands or data. This could manifest as a race condition, an integer overflow, or improper input validation, leading to the driver entering an unstable state when processing specific inputs. The lack of detailed information makes pinpointing the exact root cause difficult, but the impact is a temporary system hang, suggesting a problem with resource allocation or driver state management.
Due to the age and lack of specific details, it is difficult to attribute this vulnerability to specific APT groups. However, any group targeting macOS systems could potentially leverage this vulnerability, especially if it can be chained with other exploits. Not listed on CISA KEV.
Monitor system logs for unusual activity related to the FCU driver (e.g., frequent errors, unexpected driver reloads).
Analyze system crash dumps or kernel panics for clues related to the FCU driver.
Implement host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) to monitor for suspicious system calls or file access related to the FCU driver.
Network monitoring for unusual traffic patterns associated with local user activity that might be related to the FCU driver.
Upgrade to a patched version of macOS (10.3.8 or later).
Apply all available security updates from Apple.
Implement least privilege principles to restrict user access to system resources and drivers.
Regularly audit system logs for suspicious activity.
Consider using a host-based intrusion detection system (HIDS) to monitor for malicious activity.