Update to the latest version of Ghidra

Oct 13, 2025 by magicalceylontours.com 108 views

Introduction

The DYLD shared cache is a crucial component of macOS, responsible for storing and managing shared libraries. However, a recent issue has been reported regarding the symbolication of the __auth_stubs section of extracted DYLD shared cache members. In this article, we will delve into the details of this bug, its reproduction steps, and the expected behavior.

Describe the Bug

The symbolication for the __auth_stubs section of extracted DYLD shared cache members is incorrect. This issue affects the accuracy of the symbol names associated with the branch addresses in the first stub. As a result, the stub name does not match the actual name of the branch it is pointing to.

To Reproduce

To reproduce this behavior, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Shared Cache

Open the DYLD shared cache using the Ghidra disassembler.

Step 2: Extract SkyLight

Extract the SkyLight member from the shared cache.

Step 3: Add to Program

Right-click on the branch address in the first stub and select "References" -> "Add to Program".

Step 4: Observe the Branch Symbol Name

Observe the branch symbol name being displayed. It should match the name of the stub. However, in this case, the symbol name is different from the actual name of the stub.

Expected Behavior

The expected behavior is that the stub name should match the actual name of the branch it is pointing to. This ensures accurate symbolication and helps in debugging and analysis of the code.

Screenshots

Image: A screenshot of the Ghidra disassembler showing the incorrect symbolication of the __auth_stubs section.

Attachments

N/A

Environment

The environment in which this issue was encountered is as follows:

OS

macOS 15.4 (24E5228e)

Java Version

openjdk 21.0.5 2024-10-15

Ghidra Version

11.4 (commit: 7b9183b2db445a14d7637b950eb0e9d79d7d9552)

Ghidra Origin

locally built from source

Additional Context

This issue might be related to the fact that the user is running on the 15.4 beta version of macOS. However, even if this is the case, it is still expected that the symbolication should be accurate. This might be a preview of what is to come in the stable 15.4 release.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the DYLD shared cache auth stub symbolication incorrect issue is a critical problem that affects the accuracy of symbol names associated with branch addresses in the first stub. To reproduce this behavior, follow the steps outlined above. The expected behavior is that the stub name should match the actual name of the branch it is pointing to. This issue might be related to the 15.4 beta version of macOS, but it is still expected that the symbolication should be accurate.

Recommendations

To resolve this issue, the following recommendations can be made:

Update to the latest version of Ghidra: Ensure that the Ghidra version is up-to-date, as this might resolve the issue.
Check for updates to the DYLD shared cache: Verify that the DYLD shared cache is up-to-date, as this might resolve the issue.
Report the issue to Apple: If the issue persists, report it to Apple, as this might be a bug that needs to be fixed.

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the DYLD shared cache auth stub symbolication incorrect issue, which affects the accuracy of symbol names associated with branch addresses in the first stub. In this article, we will address some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to this issue.

Q: What is the DYLD shared cache?

A: The DYLD shared cache is a component of macOS that stores and manages shared libraries. It is responsible for caching frequently used libraries to improve system performance.

Q: What is the `__auth_stubs` section?

A: The __auth_stubs section is a part of the DYLD shared cache that contains authentication stubs. These stubs are used to authenticate and authorize access to certain system resources.

Q: Why is the symbolication incorrect?

A: The symbolication is incorrect because of a bug in the Ghidra disassembler. This bug affects the accuracy of the symbol names associated with branch addresses in the first stub.

Q: How can I reproduce the issue?

A: To reproduce the issue, follow these steps:

Open the DYLD shared cache using the Ghidra disassembler.
Extract the SkyLight member from the shared cache.
Right-click on the branch address in the first stub and select "References" -> "Add to Program".
Observe the branch symbol name being displayed. It should match the name of the stub. However, in this case, the symbol name is different from the actual name of the stub.

Q: What is the expected behavior?

A: The expected behavior is that the stub name should match the actual name of the branch it is pointing to. This ensures accurate symbolication and helps in debugging and analysis of the code.

Q: Is this issue related to the 15.4 beta version of macOS?

A: Yes, this issue might be related to the 15.4 beta version of macOS. However, even if this is the case, it is still expected that the symbolication should be accurate.

Q: How can I resolve this issue?

A: To resolve this issue, follow these recommendations:

Update to the latest version of Ghidra: Ensure that the Ghidra version is up-to-date, as this might resolve the issue.
Check for updates to the DYLD shared cache: Verify that the DYLD shared cache is up-to-date, as this might resolve the issue.
Report the issue to Apple: If the issue persists, report it to Apple, as this might be a bug that needs to be fixed.

Q: What are the consequences of this issue?

A: The consequences of this issue are that the symbolication of the __auth_stubs section of extracted DYLD shared cache members is incorrect. This affects the accuracy of symbol names associated with branch addresses in the first stub, which can lead to difficulties in debugging and analysis of the code.

Q: Can I prevent this issue from occurring?

A: Yes, you can prevent this issue from occurring by following the recommendations outlined above. Additionally, you can also try to avoid using the 15.4 beta version of macOS until the issue is resolved.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the DYLD shared cache auth stub symbolication incorrect issue is a critical problem that affects the accuracy of symbol names associated with branch addresses in the first stub. By understanding the FAQs related to this issue, you can better address the problem and find a solution. Remember to update to the latest version of Ghidra, check for updates to the DYLD shared cache, and report the issue to Apple if necessary.