Analyze macOS application entitlements for security implications, privilege escalation paths, and dangerous permissions. Use this skill whenever the user needs to audit macOS binaries for entitlements, assess security risks of entitlements, understand what specific entitlements allow, or identify privilege escalation opportunities through entitlement abuse. Trigger on any mention of macOS entitlements, code signing, TCC permissions, SIP bypass, or binary security analysis.
Analyze macOS application entitlements for security implications, privilege escalation paths, and dangerous permissions. Use this skill whenever the user needs to audit macOS binaries for entitlements, assess security risks of entitlements, understand what specific entitlements allow, or identify privilege escalation opportunities through entitlement abuse. Trigger on any mention of macOS entitlements, code signing, TCC permissions, SIP bypass, or binary security analysis.
macOS Entitlements Analyzer
A skill for analyzing macOS application entitlements and their security implications.
When to Use This Skill
Use this skill when:
Analyzing macOS binaries for dangerous entitlements
Assessing security risks of code-signed applications
Investigating privilege escalation paths through entitlements
Understanding what specific entitlements allow an application to do
Auditing applications for TCC (TCC database) access
Checking for SIP (System Integrity Protection) bypass capabilities
Reviewing entitlements in the context of macOS security research
Look for com.apple.private.icloud-account-access - this allows communication with iCloudHelper XPC service to obtain iCloud tokens. Known to be present in iMovie and GarageBand.
Case 3: TCC Database Manipulation
Check for:
com.apple.private.tcc.manager
com.apple.rootless.storage.TCC
kTCCServiceEndpointSecurityClient
These allow modification of the TCC database, which controls privacy permissions.
Important Notes
Apple-Only Entitlements
Entitlements starting with com.apple are typically reserved for Apple. However:
Enterprise certificates can create custom com.apple.* entitlements
This can bypass protections that check for Apple-signed binaries
TCC Services
TCC (Transparency, Consent, and Control) services control privacy permissions:
Service
Permission
kTCCServiceSystemPolicyAllFiles
Full Disk Access
kTCCServiceAppleEvents
Automate other apps
kTCCServiceAccessibility
Accessibility/Screen Control
kTCCServiceEndpointSecurityClient
Write TCC database
kTCCServiceSystemPolicySysAdminFiles
Change NFS home directory
kTCCServiceSystemPolicyAppBundles
Modify app bundle contents
Trustcache/CDhash Bypass
Some entitlements can bypass Trustcache/CDhash protections that prevent execution of downgraded Apple binaries. Research ongoing.
Example Analysis Output
=== Entitlement Analysis ===
Binary: /Applications/Example.app/Contents/MacOS/Example
🔴 HIGH RISK ENTITLEMENTS FOUND:
- com.apple.security.get-task-allow: Allows code injection
- kTCCServiceAccessibility: Can control UI and approve dialogs
🟡 MEDIUM RISK ENTITLEMENTS:
- com.apple.security.cs.allow-jit: Writable+executable memory
✅ No critical SIP bypass entitlements
✅ No TCC database modification entitlements
RECOMMENDATION: Review code injection capabilities and accessibility permissions
Scripts Available
scripts/extract_entitlements.sh - Extract and analyze entitlements from a binary
scripts/check_dangerous_entitlements.sh - Check for known dangerous entitlements
