CVE-2003-0876 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Finder in Mac OS X 10.2.8 and earlier sets global read/write/execute permissions on directories when they are dragged (copied) from a mounted volume such as a disk image (DMG), which could cause the directories to have less restrictive permissions than intended.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-0876 represents a significant access control flaw within the Mac OS X Finder application affecting versions 10.2.8 and earlier. This issue stems from the way the Finder handles file system permissions when copying directories from mounted volumes, particularly disk images. The core problem manifests when users drag or copy directories from DMG files or other mounted volumes, resulting in the creation of directories with overly permissive global permissions that exceed the intended security boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the file system interaction level within the Finder's copy operations. When a directory is dragged from a mounted volume, the Finder fails to properly preserve or enforce the original permission settings, instead applying global read/write/execute permissions that are typically restricted to specific user groups or individuals. This behavior creates directories with world-accessible permissions that could potentially allow unauthorized users to modify or execute files within these directories, fundamentally undermining the security model of the operating system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a serious risk to system integrity and data confidentiality. Attackers could exploit this flaw by mounting malicious disk images containing specially crafted directories with elevated permissions, then copying these directories to locations within the system where they could be accessed by other users or processes. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can lead to unauthorized modification of system files, potential information disclosure, and the establishment of persistent access points within the operating environment. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege that is fundamental to secure system design and can enable more sophisticated attacks when combined with other exploitation techniques.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-276, which addresses improper permissions for a resource, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers exploitation for privilege escalation. Organizations running affected versions of Mac OS X should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of the operating system, implementing additional permission monitoring, and conducting security audits to identify any directories that may have been compromised through this vulnerability. System administrators should also consider implementing access control lists and permission enforcement mechanisms to detect and prevent unauthorized permission changes, while maintaining regular security updates to protect against similar vulnerabilities in the future. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper permission handling in file system operations and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can create significant security risks in operating system components.