CVE-2005-2747 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in ImageIO for Apple Mac OS X 10.4.2, as used by applications such as WebCore and Safari, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted GIF file.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2747 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the ImageIO framework of Apple Mac OS X 10.4.2 operating system. This vulnerability specifically affects the handling of GIF image files and resides within the core image processing components that are utilized by various Apple applications including WebCore and Safari web browser. The flaw stems from insufficient bounds checking during the parsing of malformed GIF image data, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain unauthorized code execution privileges on affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the ImageIO framework processes a specially crafted GIF file that contains malformed data structures. During the image parsing process, the framework fails to properly validate the size and boundaries of image data segments, particularly within the GIF format's logical screen descriptor and image descriptor fields. This inadequate validation allows an attacker to overflow a fixed-size buffer located in the application memory space, potentially overwriting adjacent memory regions including return addresses and executable code segments. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which represents a well-known and highly dangerous class of memory corruption vulnerabilities that can lead to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-2747 extends beyond simple code execution capabilities as it provides attackers with a pathway to achieve arbitrary code execution on targeted systems without requiring any local privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in web-based attack scenarios where users might unknowingly encounter compromised GIF content through web pages, email attachments, or file sharing platforms. The vulnerability affects not only Safari browser but also any application that relies on the ImageIO framework for image processing, including various Apple applications and third-party software that integrates with the operating system's core image handling capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass multiple defensive layers including immediate patch deployment through Apple's security updates, application sandboxing to limit potential exploitation scope, and network-based filtering of suspicious image content. The remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers may attempt to leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access through command execution capabilities. Organizations should implement regular security updates and vulnerability management processes to ensure all systems receive timely patches for known vulnerabilities. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing web content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious GIF files, while security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this specific vulnerability through their intrusion detection systems and endpoint protection platforms. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in system components that handle untrusted data from external sources.