Today’s cyber threat landscape is nothing if not varied. As if AI-driven adaptive malware and a Cambrian explosion of phishing attempts weren’t challenging enough, operating system vulnerabilities remain an ever-present threat. Weeding them out requires vigilance, patience, and an effective strategy.
In this article, we discuss security vulnerabilities in MacOS and Windows. First, we examine them in detail, noting commonalities and OS-specific challenges. Then, we provide actionable advice on detecting and mitigating these threats.
What are Operating System Vulnerabilities?
OS vulnerabilities is a catch-all term referring to all the unpatched code vulnerabilities, misconfigured settings, outdated security measures, poor user practices, and other shortcomings an attacker might exploit to gain unauthorized access or otherwise endanger the system’s security.
Some vulnerabilities are universal and threaten Windows and MacOS in similar ways. Leaving the OS unpatched makes both susceptible to zero-day exploits, for example. Not using access control or relying on default passwords is another vulnerability a straightforward measure like password managers for businesses or individuals would easily fix. Yet, few users bother to alter such settings, and some companies overlook it.
In general, the most worrisome OS vulnerabilities fall under two categories – privilege escalation and remote code execution.
Privilege escalation vulnerabilities allow attackers to obtain high-level access from an account that shouldn’t have them. For example, an attacker could obtain a regular user account via phishing and then use an identified vulnerability to elevate that account to admin status to access files, alter configurations, and do all kinds of damage.
Other vulnerabilities, like the infamous EternalBlue exploit that affected Windows, let the attackers connect to a remote device, usually through web apps or RDP exploits, to execute malicious commands when proper input validation isn’t present.
Also, even if the operating systems themselves didn’t contain vulnerabilities, the user remains a potent attack vector susceptible to phishing and other social engineering attacks that can result in unauthorized access, malware injection, and more.
Are there vulnerabilities specific to each OS?
Due to differences in kernel architecture, file systems, and approaches to their respective application ecosystems, MacOS and Windows, each also have some unique vulnerabilities.
Gatekeeper is a security tool native to MacOS that uses code signing and application ID to ensure only trusted programs run on the system. Hackers have been working on various gatekeeper bypass methods to circumvent this. Similarly, the practice of sandboxing applications to keep them from accessing system-critical resources has prompted attackers to develop ways of breaking their applications out and achieving unauthorized access.
In Windows, User Account Control protects the system from unauthorized changes, so it’s an obstacle to overcome when executing prestige escalation attacks. Credential Manager is a feature that lets users access their Windows- and web-based credentials, which may include account data. Credential dumping attacks use API exploitation and memory dumping to gain access to stored credentials.
Dealing with MacOS and Windows Vulnerabilities
Since vulnerabilities are pervasive and ongoing threats one can combat but never truly get rid of, It’s crucial to implement comprehensive tracking and monitoring practices. You should regularly visit the respective operating systems’ security blogs and sites like the National Vulnerability Database for up-to-date information on newly discovered exploits.
Not all vulnerabilities will affect your particular system’s build, so it’s prudent to use a reputable vulnerability scanner to perform an assessment. If that doesn’t yield any results and you’re still concerned about OS security on servers and endpoint devices, you may want to conduct your own penetration testing to be on the safe side.
Vulnerability Mitigation
Keeping (un)known vulnerabilities from turning into incidents hinges on interconnected actions, policies, and best practices that cybersecurity professionals and regular users can follow.
Ensuring the operating system and installed applications are all up to date is a straightforward yet effective first step. Doing so across devices can be tricky and inexact, so consider deploying a patch management tool that applies patches as soon as they’re available. You will also want to audit approved installed software and keep it to the minimum required for regular operation.
Since compromised accounts are a frequent source of vulnerability exploits, it’s imperative to have access management measures in place. On the one hand, a password manager like NordPass will ensure that everyone is using safe and unique credentials that are further secured via MFA without sacrificing device choice. On the other hand, adhering to the Principle of Least Privilege and segmenting access will deter malicious insiders while providing detailed logs.
Network security and malware protection are also essential. You can use built-in tools like Windows Defender to limit outgoing and incoming traffic. Nowadays, it also functions as a competent anti-malware tool, so installing a dedicated supplement will improve detection chances.
Conclusion
Operating system vulnerabilities are the kind of threat you can only hope to keep on top of. Maintaining an active interest in their development and doing everything you can to harden your systems against them requires diligence and doesn’t always seem fruitful. Yet, the impact such efforts have on maintaining system integration, data breach protection, and safeguarding the trust in your company’s reputation can’t be overstated.
