CVE-2016-4625

HIGH

macOS < 10.11.6 - Use-After-Free in IOSurface

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 2 public exploits for CVE-2016-4625. PoCs published by Google Security Research.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit leverages a use-after-free (UaF) vulnerability in IOSurfaceRootUserClient on macOS, allowing kernel memory corruption. It involves creating a dangling pointer by freeing a task struct and then manipulating it via the create_surface_fast_path method.

Description

Use-after-free vulnerability in IOSurface in Apple OS X before 10.11.6 allows local users to gain privileges via unspecified vectors.

Exploits (2)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Google Security Research · textlocalosx
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40653

This exploit leverages a use-after-free (UaF) vulnerability in IOSurfaceRootUserClient on macOS, allowing kernel memory corruption. It involves creating a dangling pointer by freeing a task struct and then manipulating it via the create_surface_fast_path method.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Reliable
Target: macOS 10.11.5 (15F34)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to a vulnerable macOS system · Ability to compile and execute C code
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WRITEUP VERIFIED
by Google Security Research · textlocalmacos
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40669

This is a detailed writeup explaining a race condition vulnerability in macOS (CVE-2016-4625) where task struct pointers can be exploited to gain elevated privileges. The document describes the underlying issue with task struct pointers and their euid changes during suid-root binary execution.

Classification
Writeup 90%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Racy
Target: macOS (XNU kernel)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to a vulnerable macOS system · Ability to execute suid-root binaries
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (6)

Core 6
Core References
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/91824
Exploit, Third Party Advisory exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40669/
Mailing List, Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_apple
http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2016/Jul/msg00000.html
Exploit, Third Party Advisory exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40653/
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_sectrack
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036348
Vendor Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://support.apple.com/HT206903

Scores

CVSS v3 7.8
EPSS 0.0190
EPSS Percentile 77.0%
Attack Vector LOCAL
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Details

CWE
CWE-416
Status published
Products (1)
apple/mac_os_x < 10.11.5
Published Jul 22, 2016
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026