CVE-2005-1408 in Keynote
Summary
by MITRE
Apple Keynote 2.0 and 2.0.1 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via the keynote: URI handler in a crafted Keynote presentation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1408 represents a significant security flaw in Apple Keynote 2.0 and 2.0.1 software that enables remote code execution through crafted file handling. This issue specifically affects the keynote: URI handler component within the presentation software, creating a pathway for attackers to exploit the application's file access mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper handling of URI schemes within the Keynote application's processing pipeline.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the keynote: URI handler which is designed to process specific URL schemes for embedding media and linking to external resources within presentations. Attackers can craft malicious Keynote presentations that contain specially formatted keynote: URIs which, when opened by the vulnerable software, trigger unintended file system access operations. This allows unauthorized reading of arbitrary files from the local system, bypassing normal access controls and permissions mechanisms. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as a Path Traversal or Directory Traversal attack, where the application fails to properly sanitize input from untrusted sources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to potentially access sensitive files, configuration data, and personal documents stored on the target system. This could lead to data breaches, privilege escalation opportunities, and further exploitation within the compromised environment. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability without requiring physical access to the target machine, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where presentation files might be shared across networks. The attack vector through crafted Keynote presentations represents a classic example of a file-based attack that leverages application-specific URI handlers to achieve unauthorized system access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate software updates from Apple to patch the affected versions of Keynote, along with network-level restrictions that prevent execution of untrusted presentation files. Users should be educated about the risks of opening presentations from unknown or untrusted sources, and organizations should implement strict file validation policies for presentation files. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 Phishing, as it represents a file-based attack that can be delivered through social engineering. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting controls and restricting the execution of Keynote applications in high-security environments can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts.