CVE-2004-0825 in Mac OS X Server
Summary
by MITRE
QuickTime Streaming Server in Mac OS X Server 10.2.8, 10.3.4, and 10.3.5 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application deadlock) via a certain sequence of operations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0825 represents a critical denial of service weakness within the QuickTime Streaming Server component of Apple Mac OS X Server versions 10.2.8, 10.3.4, and 10.3.5. This flaw specifically targets the streaming server functionality that enables media content delivery over network protocols, creating a condition where legitimate service operations can be disrupted through carefully crafted sequences of network interactions. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where the server processes incoming streaming requests and maintains connection states, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on continuous media delivery services.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a specific sequence of operations that triggers an application deadlock condition within the QuickTime Streaming Server process. When an attacker sends a particular combination of streaming protocol commands or malformed requests, the server enters a state where it becomes unresponsive to further legitimate requests while consuming system resources. This behavior aligns with CWE-400, which categorizes uncontrolled resource consumption as a fundamental weakness in software systems. The deadlock condition prevents the server from processing new streaming requests or maintaining existing connections, effectively rendering the media streaming service unavailable to legitimate users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can severely affect organizations that depend on continuous media streaming for business operations. Enterprises utilizing Mac OS X Server for content delivery, video conferencing, or multimedia presentations face significant risks when this vulnerability exists in their infrastructure. The application deadlock condition creates a cascading effect where system resources become tied up in non-responsive processes, potentially leading to broader system instability and performance degradation. Network administrators must consider the potential for this vulnerability to be exploited in coordinated attacks that could simultaneously target multiple streaming endpoints within an organization's infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0825 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Apple, as the vulnerability affects multiple versions of Mac OS X Server that were released during the early 2000s. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit exposure of vulnerable QuickTime Streaming Server instances and establish monitoring protocols to detect unusual connection patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1499, which involves service stoppage and denial of service attacks targeting system resources. System administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify the specific sequence of operations that trigger this vulnerability, allowing for proactive blocking of malicious traffic patterns before they can cause service disruption.