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60 lines
5.4 KiB
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60 lines
5.4 KiB
Markdown
# macOS Kernel Extensions
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<details>
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<summary><a href="https://cloud.hacktricks.xyz/pentesting-cloud/pentesting-cloud-methodology"><strong>☁️ HackTricks Cloud ☁️</strong></a> -<a href="https://twitter.com/hacktricks_live"><strong>🐦 Twitter 🐦</strong></a> - <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/hacktricks_live/schedule"><strong>🎙️ Twitch 🎙️</strong></a> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@hacktricks_LIVE"><strong>🎥 Youtube 🎥</strong></a></summary>
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* Discover [**The PEASS Family**](https://opensea.io/collection/the-peass-family), our collection of exclusive [**NFTs**](https://opensea.io/collection/the-peass-family)
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* Get the [**official PEASS & HackTricks swag**](https://peass.creator-spring.com)
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* **Join the** [**💬**](https://emojipedia.org/speech-balloon/) [**Discord group**](https://discord.gg/hRep4RUj7f) or the [**telegram group**](https://t.me/peass) or **follow** me on **Twitter** [**🐦**](https://github.com/carlospolop/hacktricks/tree/7af18b62b3bdc423e11444677a6a73d4043511e9/\[https:/emojipedia.org/bird/README.md)[**@carlospolopm**](https://twitter.com/hacktricks\_live)**.**
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* **Share your hacking tricks by submitting PRs to the** [**hacktricks repo**](https://github.com/carlospolop/hacktricks) **and** [**hacktricks-cloud repo**](https://github.com/carlospolop/hacktricks-cloud).
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</details>
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## Basic Information
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Kernel extensions (Kexts) are **bundles** using **`.kext` extension** that are **loaded directly into the kernel space** of macOS, providing additional functionality to the core operating system.
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### Requirements
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Obviously, this is so powerful, it's complicated to load a kernel extension. These are the requirements of a kernel extension to be loaded:
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* Going into **recovery mode** Kexts need to be **allowed to be loaded**:
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<figure><img src="../../../.gitbook/assets/image (2).png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
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* The Kext must be **signed with a kernel code signing certificate**, which can only be granted by **Apple**. Who will be **reviewing** in detail the **company** and the **reasons** why this is needed.
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* The Kext also needs to be **notarized**, Apple will be able to check it for malware.
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* Then, the **root user** is the one that can load the Kext and the files inside the bundle must belong to root.
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* Finally, once trying to load it, the [**user will be prompted for confirmation**](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/technotes/tn2459/\_index.html) and if accepted, the computer must **reboot** to load it.
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### Loading Process
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Back in Catalina it was like this: It's interesting to note that the **verification** process occurs on **userland**. However, only applications with the entitlement **`com.apple.private.security.kext-management`** can **ask the kernel** to **load an extension:** kextcache, kextload, kextutil, kextd, syspolicyd
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1. **`kextutil`** cli **starts** the verification process to load an extension
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* It'll talk to **`kextd`** sending using a Mach service
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2. **`kextd`** will check several things, such as the signature
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* It'll talk to **`syspolicyd`** to check if the extension can be loaded
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3. **`syspolicyd`** **asks** the **user** if the extension hasn't be loaded previously
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* **`syspolicyd`** will indicate the result to **`kextd`**
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4. **`kextd`** will finally be able to indicate the **kernel to load the extension**
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If kextd is not available, kextutil can perform the same checks.
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## References
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* [https://www.makeuseof.com/how-to-enable-third-party-kernel-extensions-apple-silicon-mac/](https://www.makeuseof.com/how-to-enable-third-party-kernel-extensions-apple-silicon-mac/)
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<details>
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<summary><a href="https://cloud.hacktricks.xyz/pentesting-cloud/pentesting-cloud-methodology"><strong>☁️ HackTricks Cloud ☁️</strong></a> -<a href="https://twitter.com/hacktricks_live"><strong>🐦 Twitter 🐦</strong></a> - <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/hacktricks_live/schedule"><strong>🎙️ Twitch 🎙️</strong></a> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@hacktricks_LIVE"><strong>🎥 Youtube 🎥</strong></a></summary>
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* Do you work in a **cybersecurity company**? Do you want to see your **company advertised in HackTricks**? or do you want to have access to the **latest version of the PEASS or download HackTricks in PDF**? Check the [**SUBSCRIPTION PLANS**](https://github.com/sponsors/carlospolop)!
|
|
* Discover [**The PEASS Family**](https://opensea.io/collection/the-peass-family), our collection of exclusive [**NFTs**](https://opensea.io/collection/the-peass-family)
|
|
* Get the [**official PEASS & HackTricks swag**](https://peass.creator-spring.com)
|
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* **Join the** [**💬**](https://emojipedia.org/speech-balloon/) [**Discord group**](https://discord.gg/hRep4RUj7f) or the [**telegram group**](https://t.me/peass) or **follow** me on **Twitter** [**🐦**](https://github.com/carlospolop/hacktricks/tree/7af18b62b3bdc423e11444677a6a73d4043511e9/\[https:/emojipedia.org/bird/README.md)[**@carlospolopm**](https://twitter.com/hacktricks\_live)**.**
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* **Share your hacking tricks by submitting PRs to the** [**hacktricks repo**](https://github.com/carlospolop/hacktricks) **and** [**hacktricks-cloud repo**](https://github.com/carlospolop/hacktricks-cloud).
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</details>
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