CVE-2005-2525 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
CUPS in Mac OS X 10.3.9 and 10.4.2 does not properly close file descriptors when handling multiple simultaneous print jobs, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (printing halt).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2525 affects the Common Unix Printing System CUPS implementation within Mac OS X versions 10.3.9 and 10.4.2. This issue represents a classic resource management flaw that impacts the print spooling functionality of the operating system. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the CUPS daemon processes multiple concurrent print requests, creating a scenario where file descriptor management becomes inadequate. This flaw falls under the category of resource leak vulnerabilities and can be categorized as CWE-404, which describes improper resource cleanup or release. The CUPS service in these macOS versions fails to properly close file descriptors associated with print job processing, leading to a gradual depletion of available system resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits multiple simultaneous print jobs to a vulnerable CUPS server. Each print job consumes file descriptors that should be released after processing completes. However, due to the improper resource handling in the CUPS implementation, these file descriptors remain open and accumulate over time. As the number of concurrent print jobs increases, the system eventually exhausts its available file descriptor limit, causing the printing service to become unresponsive. This behavior aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network disruption through resource exhaustion attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the operating system's print subsystem architecture where proper resource lifecycle management is not implemented correctly.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-2525 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it affects the core printing capabilities of affected macOS systems. Organizations relying on network printing services would experience complete cessation of printing operations, potentially affecting productivity and business continuity. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where print servers handle numerous concurrent print requests from multiple users. Attackers could leverage this weakness to perform denial of service attacks against print services without requiring elevated privileges or specific authentication credentials. The attack vector is accessible over the network, making it particularly dangerous in shared or unsecured network environments where unauthorized users might have access to print services.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve both immediate system updates and operational security measures. The primary solution is to upgrade to patched versions of Mac OS X that address the file descriptor management issue within CUPS. System administrators should also implement monitoring of file descriptor usage on print servers to detect potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit exposure by restricting unauthorized access to print services. Additionally, implementing rate limiting on print job submissions and configuring automatic service restart mechanisms can provide temporary protection while waiting for official patches. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper resource management in system services and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can lead to significant operational disruptions. Organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments focusing on service resource management to identify similar issues in their infrastructure.