CVE-2005-1933 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Dashboard in Apple Mac OS X Tiger 10.4 allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands by overriding the behavior of system widgets via a user widget with the same bundle identifier (CFBundleIdentifier), a different vulnerability than CVE-2005-1474.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1933 represents a significant security flaw in Apple Mac OS X Tiger 10.4's Dashboard feature that enables privilege escalation through malicious widget manipulation. This issue specifically targets the widget loading and execution mechanism within the Dashboard environment, where system widgets can be overridden by user-created widgets sharing identical bundle identifiers. The vulnerability operates at the core of macOS application management and widget execution processes, exploiting a fundamental flaw in how the operating system handles widget registration and execution priorities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of widget identifiers within the Dashboard framework. When a user creates a widget with the same CFBundleIdentifier as an existing system widget, the system fails to properly distinguish between legitimate system components and potentially malicious user-created elements. This allows attackers to substitute their own code for legitimate system functionality, effectively hijacking the widget execution environment. The flaw resides in the absence of proper access controls and validation mechanisms that should prevent user widgets from overriding system-level components with identical identifiers. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-345 Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity, as the system does not adequately verify the authenticity and integrity of widget components before execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial, as it provides attackers with a means to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges typically reserved for system processes. Once a malicious widget is installed and loaded, it can perform actions that would normally be restricted to system administrators or privileged processes, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, modify system files, or establish persistent access to affected systems. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction beyond the installation of a malicious widget, making it an attractive target for social engineering campaigns. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 Command and Scripting Interpreter where adversaries use system-level command execution capabilities to gain control over affected systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1933 should focus on implementing stricter widget validation mechanisms and access controls within the Dashboard framework. System administrators should ensure that Dashboard functionality is properly configured with appropriate security settings and that users have limited ability to install or modify system widgets. The recommended approach involves disabling unnecessary widget features, implementing proper code signing verification for all widgets, and establishing robust monitoring for unauthorized widget installations. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of installing third-party widgets and the importance of verifying widget sources before installation. Apple addressed this vulnerability through subsequent security updates that implemented stricter validation of widget identifiers and enhanced access controls within the Dashboard environment, demonstrating the importance of proper software design and security verification processes in preventing such privilege escalation attacks.