CVE-2004-0822 in Mac OS X Server
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in The Core Foundation framework (CoreFoundation.framework) in Mac OS X 10.2.8, 10.3.4, and 10.3.5 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a certain environment variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0822 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Apple's Core Foundation framework, a fundamental component of Mac OS X operating systems. This issue affects specific versions including Mac OS X 10.2.8, 10.3.4, and 10.3.5, where the Core Foundation framework fails to properly validate input data when processing environment variables. The flaw exists at the system level where the framework handles environment variable parsing, creating an opportunity for malicious code execution. This vulnerability operates at the kernel and system framework level, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by local users who have access to the system.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when the Core Foundation framework processes environment variables without adequate bounds checking mechanisms. When a specially crafted environment variable is passed to the system, the framework attempts to copy this data into a fixed-size buffer that cannot accommodate the excessive input. This overflow allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow or injecting malicious code. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the framework handles environment variables containing malformed or excessively long data sequences that exceed the allocated buffer capacity. This type of flaw maps directly to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking permits data to overwrite adjacent memory regions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides local users with the capability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the targeted process. Since the vulnerability exists within a core system framework, successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources, modify critical files, or establish persistent backdoors. The local nature of the attack means that an attacker must already have access to the system, but this access point can be leveraged to escalate privileges and potentially move laterally within the network environment. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation', and represents a classic example of how system-level vulnerabilities can be exploited to gain elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0822 primarily focus on immediate system updates and security hardening measures. Apple released patches for the affected versions of Mac OS X that addressed the buffer overflow in Core Foundation, making it essential for system administrators to apply these updates promptly. Additionally, security best practices recommend implementing strict environment variable validation, monitoring for unusual process behaviors, and employing privilege separation techniques to limit the potential impact of such exploits. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their systems. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in system-level frameworks, as highlighted by industry standards such as the CWE taxonomy and the NIST cybersecurity framework guidelines.