CVE-2003-0379 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in Apple File Service (AFP Server) for Mac OS X Server, when sharing files on a UFS or re-shared NFS volume, allows remote attackers to overwrite arbitrary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0379 represents a critical security flaw within Apple File Service AFP Server implementation on Mac OS X Server platforms. This issue specifically manifests when file sharing operations occur across UFS filesystems or when files are re-shared through NFS volume configurations, creating a dangerous attack surface that remote adversaries can exploit. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the AFP server's file handling processes, particularly when processing file operations on shared volumes. Security researchers have classified this as a privilege escalation and arbitrary file overwrite vulnerability that undermines the fundamental security assumptions of file sharing services.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted AFP protocol requests that manipulate file path resolution and access controls during file sharing operations. Attackers can leverage this flaw to bypass normal file system permissions and overwrite files with arbitrary content, potentially targeting system-critical files or user data. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the file system level, allowing attackers to modify files that they would normally not have write access to, effectively circumventing standard Unix file permission models. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category of Path Traversal attacks, where improper input validation allows attackers to manipulate file paths to access restricted resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2003-0379 extends beyond simple data corruption or loss, as it provides attackers with persistent access to modify system files, potentially leading to complete system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could overwrite critical system binaries, configuration files, or user data, potentially leading to service disruption, data theft, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Mac OS X Server systems serve as file shares for multiple users, as it could allow a single compromised account to escalate privileges and affect the entire network infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.002 which covers legitimate credentials, but in this case represents an exploitation of legitimate file sharing protocols to achieve unauthorized file modifications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Mac OS X Server systems through official Apple security updates, as well as implementing network segmentation to limit access to AFP services where possible. Organizations should also consider disabling AFP sharing for sensitive volumes and implementing additional monitoring for unusual file modification patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control in network services, particularly those that operate with elevated privileges. Security administrators should also implement regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar flaws in file sharing services and ensure that proper file system permissions are maintained across all shared resources. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not negatively impact legitimate file sharing operations while effectively closing the security gap that allows arbitrary file overwrites.