CVE-2005-0716 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the Core Foundation Library in Mac OS X 10.3.5 and 10.3.6, and possibly earlier versions, allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long CF_CHARSET_PATH environment variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-0716 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within the Core Foundation Library of Mac OS X versions 10.3.5 and 10.3.6, with potential impact on earlier releases. This flaw exists in the manner in which the system processes the CF_CHARSET_PATH environment variable, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to gain unauthorized code execution privileges. The Core Foundation Library serves as a fundamental component in Mac OS X, providing essential services for application development and system operations, making this vulnerability particularly concerning due to its potential to affect core system functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the Core Foundation Library's handling of environment variables. When the system processes the CF_CHARSET_PATH environment variable, it fails to validate the length of input data against allocated stack buffer space, resulting in a classic stack-based buffer overflow condition. This occurs because the library uses a fixed-size buffer to store the environment variable value without adequate input validation, allowing an attacker to exceed the buffer boundaries and overwrite adjacent stack memory. The overflow can potentially corrupt return addresses, function pointers, and other critical stack data structures, enabling arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected process.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to Mac OS X systems as it requires only local user access to exploit, eliminating the need for network connectivity or complex remote attack vectors. Local attackers can leverage this flaw by setting a specially crafted long CF_CHARSET_PATH environment variable that exceeds the allocated buffer size, thereby triggering the overflow condition. The exploitability is further enhanced by the fact that the Core Foundation Library is widely used across system applications and services, potentially allowing attackers to compromise multiple system components through a single vulnerable entry point. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where local access is possible, such as shared computing environments or systems with compromised local accounts.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can potentially enable attackers to bypass system security controls and execute malicious code with elevated privileges. The buffer overflow can be exploited to overwrite critical memory segments, potentially allowing attackers to redirect program execution flow to malicious code payloads. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow classification, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in stack memory regions. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can be used as part of broader attack chains that may include initial access through local compromise followed by persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in system libraries, as inadequate bounds checking in core components can create widespread security implications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0716 should focus on immediate system updates and configuration hardening measures. Apple released patches for affected Mac OS X versions, making system updates the primary recommended remediation approach. Organizations should implement strict environment variable validation and monitoring to prevent exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on the CF_CHARSET_PATH variable. Additional protective measures include implementing mandatory access controls, restricting local user privileges where possible, and establishing comprehensive system monitoring to detect anomalous environment variable usage patterns. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs to identify and remediate similar issues in system libraries and core components.