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**System Integrity Protection (SIP)** in macOS is a mechanism designed to prevent even the most privileged users from making unauthorized changes to key system folders. This feature plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the system by restricting actions like adding, modifying, or deleting files in protected areas. The primary folders shielded by SIP include:
The rules that govern SIP's behavior are defined in the configuration file located at **`/System/Library/Sandbox/rootless.conf`**. Within this file, paths that are prefixed with an asterisk (*) are denoted as exceptions to the otherwise stringent SIP restrictions.
This snippet implies that while SIP generally secures the **`/usr`** directory, there are specific subdirectories (`/usr/libexec/cups`, `/usr/local`, and `/usr/share/man`) where modifications are permissible, as indicated by the asterisk (*) preceding their paths.
To verify whether a directory or file is protected by SIP, you can use the **`ls -lOd`** command to check for the presence of the **`restricted`** or **`sunlnk`** flag. For example:
```bash
ls -lOd /usr/libexec/cups
drwxr-xr-x 11 root wheel sunlnk 352 May 13 00:29 /usr/libexec/cups
In this case, the **`sunlnk`** flag signifies that the `/usr/libexec/cups` directory itself **cannot be deleted**, though files within it can be created, modified, or deleted.
drwxr-xr-x 338 root wheel restricted 10816 May 13 00:29 /usr/libexec
```
Here, the **`restricted`** flag indicates that the `/usr/libexec` directory is protected by SIP. In a SIP-protected directory, files cannot be created, modified, or deleted.
Moreover, if a file contains the attribute **`com.apple.rootless`** extended **attribute**, that file will also be **protected by SIP**.
**SIP also limits other root actions** like:
* Loading untrusted kernel extensions
* Getting task-ports for Apple-signed processes
* Modifying NVRAM variables
* Allowing kernel debugging
Options are maintained in nvram variable as a bitflag (`csr-active-config` on Intel and `lp-sip0` is read from the booted Device Tree for ARM). You can find the flags in the XNU source code in `csr.sh`:
You can check if SIP is enabled on your system with the following command:
```bash
csrutil status
```
If you need to disable SIP, you must restart your computer in recovery mode (by pressing Command+R during startup), then execute the following command:
```bash
csrutil disable
```
If you wish to keep SIP enabled but remove debugging protections, you can do so with:
- **Access User Data**: Read sensitive user data like mail, messages, and Safari history from all user accounts.
- **TCC Bypass**: Directly manipulate the TCC (Transparency, Consent, and Control) database to grant unauthorized access to the webcam, microphone, and other resources.
- **Establish Persistence**: Place malware in SIP-protected locations, making it resistant to removal, even by root privileges. This also includes the potential to tamper with the Malware Removal Tool (MRT).
- **Load Kernel Extensions**: Although there are additional safeguards, bypassing SIP simplifies the process of loading unsigned kernel extensions.
**Installer packages signed with Apple's certificate** can bypass its protections. This means that even packages signed by standard developers will be blocked if they attempt to modify SIP-protected directories.
One potential loophole is that if a file is specified in **`rootless.conf` but does not currently exist**, it can be created. Malware could exploit this to **establish persistence** on the system. For example, a malicious program could create a .plist file in `/System/Library/LaunchDaemons` if it is listed in `rootless.conf` but not present.
### com.apple.rootless.install.heritable
{% hint style="danger" %}
The entitlement **`com.apple.rootless.install.heritable`** allows to bypass SIP
[**Researchers from this blog post**](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2021/10/28/microsoft-finds-new-macos-vulnerability-shrootless-that-could-bypass-system-integrity-protection/) discovered a vulnerability in macOS's System Integrity Protection (SIP) mechanism, dubbed the 'Shrootless' vulnerability. This vulnerability centers around the **`system_installd`** daemon, which has an entitlement, **`com.apple.rootless.install.heritable`**, that allows any of its child processes to bypass SIP's file system restrictions.
Researchers found that during the installation of an Apple-signed package (.pkg file), **`system_installd`** **runs** any **post-install** scripts included in the package. These scripts are executed by the default shell, **`zsh`**, which automatically **runs** commands from the **`/etc/zshenv`** file, if it exists, even in non-interactive mode. This behaviour could be exploited by attackers: by creating a malicious `/etc/zshenv` file and waiting for **`system_installd` to invoke `zsh`**, they could perform arbitrary operations on the device.
Moreover, it was discovered that **`/etc/zshenv` could be used as a general attack technique**, not just for a SIP bypass. Each user profile has a `~/.zshenv` file, which behaves the same way as `/etc/zshenv` but doesn't require root permissions. This file could be used as a persistence mechanism, triggering every time `zsh` starts, or as an elevation of privilege mechanism. If an admin user elevates to root using `sudo -s` or `sudo <command>`, the `~/.zshenv` file would be triggered, effectively elevating to root.
In [**CVE-2022-22583**](https://perception-point.io/blog/technical-analysis-cve-2022-22583/) it was discovered that the same **`system_installd`** process could still be abused because it was putting the **post-install script inside a random named folder protected by SIP inside `/tmp`**. The thing is that **`/tmp` itself isn't protected by SIP**, so it was possible to **mount** a **virtual image on it**, then the **installer** would put in there the **post-install script**, **unmount** the virtual image, **recreate** all the **folders** and **add** the **post installation** script with the **payload** to execute.
A vulnerability was identified where **`fsck_cs`** was misled into corrupting a crucial file, due to its ability to follow **symbolic links**. Specifically, attackers crafted a link from _`/dev/diskX`_ to the file `/System/Library/Extensions/AppleKextExcludeList.kext/Contents/Info.plist`. Executing **`fsck_cs`** on _`/dev/diskX`_ led to the corruption of `Info.plist`. This file's integrity is vital for the operating system's SIP (System Integrity Protection), which controls the loading of kernel extensions. Once corrupted, SIP's ability to manage kernel exclusions is compromised.
The exploitation of this vulnerability has severe implications. The `Info.plist` file, normally responsible for managing permissions for kernel extensions, becomes ineffective. This includes the inability to blacklist certain extensions, such as `AppleHWAccess.kext`. Consequently, with the SIP's control mechanism out of order, this extension can be loaded, granting unauthorized read and write access to the system's RAM.
The system is set to boot from an embedded installer disk image within the `Install macOS Sierra.app` to upgrade the OS, utilizing the `bless` utility. The command used is as follows:
The security of this process can be compromised if an attacker alters the upgrade image (`InstallESD.dmg`) before booting. The strategy involves substituting a dynamic loader (dyld) with a malicious version (`libBaseIA.dylib`). This replacement results in the execution of the attacker's code when the installer is initiated.
The attacker's code gains control during the upgrade process, exploiting the system's trust in the installer. The attack proceeds by altering the `InstallESD.dmg` image via method swizzling, particularly targeting the `extractBootBits` method. This allows the injection of malicious code before the disk image is employed.
Moreover, within the `InstallESD.dmg`, there's a `BaseSystem.dmg`, which serves as the upgrade code's root file system. Injecting a dynamic library into this allows the malicious code to operate within a process capable of altering OS-level files, significantly increasing the potential for system compromise.
In this talk from [**DEF CON 31**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxZesAN-TEk), it's shown how **`systemmigrationd`** (which can bypass SIP) executes a **bash** and a **perl** script, which can be abused via env variables **`BASH_ENV`** and **`PERL5OPT`**.
The entitlement `com.apple.rootless.install` is known to bypass System Integrity Protection (SIP) on macOS. This was notably mentioned in relation to [**CVE-2022-26712**](https://jhftss.github.io/CVE-2022-26712-The-POC-For-SIP-Bypass-Is-Even-Tweetable/).
In this specific case, the system XPC service located at `/System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/ShoveService.framework/Versions/A/XPCServices/SystemShoveService.xpc` possesses this entitlement. This allows the related process to circumvent SIP constraints. Furthermore, this service notably presents a method that permits the movement of files without enforcing any security measures.
Sealed System Snapshots are a feature introduced by Apple in **macOS Big Sur (macOS 11)** as a part of its **System Integrity Protection (SIP)** mechanism to provide an additional layer of security and system stability. They are essentially read-only versions of the system volume.
1.**Immutable System**: Sealed System Snapshots make the macOS system volume "immutable", meaning that it cannot be modified. This prevents any unauthorised or accidental changes to the system that could compromise security or system stability.
2.**System Software Updates**: When you install macOS updates or upgrades, macOS creates a new system snapshot. The macOS startup volume then uses **APFS (Apple File System)** to switch to this new snapshot. The entire process of applying updates becomes safer and more reliable as the system can always revert to the previous snapshot if something goes wrong during the update.
3.**Data Separation**: In conjunction with the concept of Data and System volume separation introduced in macOS Catalina, the Sealed System Snapshot feature makes sure that all your data and settings are stored on a separate "**Data**" volume. This separation makes your data independent from the system, which simplifies the process of system updates and enhances system security.
Remember that these snapshots are automatically managed by macOS and don't take up additional space on your disk, thanks to the space sharing capabilities of APFS. It’s also important to note that these snapshots are different from **Time Machine snapshots**, which are user-accessible backups of the entire system.
### Check Snapshots
The command **`diskutil apfs list`** lists the **details of the APFS volumes** and their layout:
Moreover, **macOS System volume snapshot** is mounted in `/` and it's **sealed** (cryptographically signed by the OS). So, if SIP is bypassed and modifies it, the **OS won't boot anymore**.
<summary><strong>Learn AWS hacking from zero to hero with</strong><ahref="https://training.hacktricks.xyz/courses/arte"><strong>htARTE (HackTricks AWS Red Team Expert)</strong></a><strong>!</strong></summary>
* If you want to see your **company advertised in HackTricks** or **download HackTricks in PDF** Check the [**SUBSCRIPTION PLANS**](https://github.com/sponsors/carlospolop)!
* **Join the** 💬 [**Discord group**](https://discord.gg/hRep4RUj7f) or the [**telegram group**](https://t.me/peass) or **follow** us on **Twitter** 🐦 [**@carlospolopm**](https://twitter.com/hacktricks_live)**.**
* **Share your hacking tricks by submitting PRs to the** [**HackTricks**](https://github.com/carlospolop/hacktricks) and [**HackTricks Cloud**](https://github.com/carlospolop/hacktricks-cloud) github repos.
