CVE-2005-1333 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the Bluetooth file and object exchange (OBEX) services in Mac OS X 10.3.9 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1333 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Bluetooth Object Exchange (OBEX) services of Mac OS X 10.3.9 systems. This weakness specifically affects the file and object exchange functionality that enables wireless data transfer between Bluetooth-enabled devices. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the OBEX protocol implementation, allowing malicious actors to exploit improper path handling mechanisms when processing file transfer requests.
This directory traversal vulnerability operates by manipulating the path parameters within OBEX file transfer operations to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries. Attackers can construct malicious OBEX requests that contain sequences such as "../" or similar path traversal indicators to access files outside the restricted file system paths. The flaw essentially permits unauthorized access to arbitrary files on the target system, potentially exposing sensitive data including configuration files, user documents, and system resources that should remain protected from remote access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core Bluetooth services that are often enabled by default on Mac systems, making exploitation relatively straightforward for remote attackers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it could potentially enable further exploitation techniques including privilege escalation or system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain access to confidential user data, system configuration files, and potentially execute arbitrary code if the affected services run with elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects the broader Bluetooth ecosystem on Mac OS X 10.3.9 systems, creating a persistent security risk that could be exploited by remote attackers without requiring local access or authentication credentials. This makes it particularly dangerous in environments where Bluetooth services are exposed to untrusted networks or where multiple devices are connected through Bluetooth protocols.
Security mitigations for CVE-2005-1333 should focus on immediate patching of the affected Mac OS X 10.3.9 systems through official Apple security updates. Organizations should disable Bluetooth services when not actively required, particularly in environments where security is paramount. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit Bluetooth traffic to trusted devices and networks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses path traversal flaws in software systems, and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation that violates secure coding practices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access through network services, potentially enabling lateral movement within compromised networks. System administrators should implement monitoring for unusual Bluetooth activity patterns and ensure that all Bluetooth services undergo regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in the protocol implementation. The incident underscores the importance of comprehensive security testing for wireless protocols and highlights the need for robust input validation mechanisms in network service implementations.