#VU12450 Privilege escalation in macOS - CVE-2018-8897

Vulnerability identifier: #VU12450

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 8.5 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:A/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2018-8897

CWE-ID: CWE-703

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: Yes

Vulnerable software:
macOS
Operating systems & Components / Operating system

Vendor: Apple Inc.

Description
The vulnerability allows a local attacker to gain elevated privileges on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to improper implementation of Intel 64 and IA-32 Architectures Software Developer's Manual (SDM) on multiple system kernels, which results in an unexpected behavior for #DB exceptions that are deferred by MOV SS or POP SS. A local user can execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.

Mitigation
Update to version 10.13.4.

Vulnerable software versions

macOS: 10.13 17A365 - 10.13.3 17D47

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External links
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208742

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

Yes. This vulnerability is being exploited in the wild.