CVE-2007-0117 in Mac OS X Server
Summary
by MITRE
DiskManagementTool in the DiskManagement.framework 92.29 on Mac OS X 10.4.8 does not properly validate Bill of Materials (BOM) files, which allows attackers to gain privileges via a BOM file under /Library/Receipts/, which triggers arbitrary file permission changes upon execution of a diskutil permission repair operation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-0117 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the DiskManagement.framework component of Mac OS X 10.4.8. This issue stems from inadequate validation mechanisms within the DiskManagementTool that processes Bill of Materials files during system operations. The vulnerability specifically affects the version 92.29 of the DiskManagement.framework and creates a dangerous condition where malicious actors can manipulate system permissions through carefully crafted BOM files. The attack vector leverages the /Library/Receipts/ directory as a staging ground for the malicious payload, exploiting the trust model that exists between system components and user-controlled files within this privileged location.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper validation of Bill of Materials files which are typically used to track package installations and manage file permissions during software deployment processes. When the diskutil permission repair operation executes, it processes BOM files located in the /Library/Receipts/ directory without sufficient sanitization or verification of their contents. This allows attackers to craft malicious BOM files that contain crafted permission specifications, effectively bypassing normal system security controls. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The flaw essentially creates a path traversal condition where attacker-controlled data influences system permission settings.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables local privilege escalation from standard user accounts to administrator privileges. Attackers can manipulate the permission repair process to modify critical system files and directories, potentially allowing them to install malicious software, modify system configurations, or establish persistent access to the compromised system. The attack requires local system access but can be particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where attackers might have limited initial privileges. The exploitation chain involves creating a malicious BOM file in the /Library/Receipts/ directory, which then gets processed during legitimate system maintenance operations, making detection more challenging and the attack harder to prevent through traditional security measures.
This vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Local Privilege Escalation' and specifically relates to 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation'. The attack pattern represents a classic case of privilege escalation through manipulation of system tools and trust relationships. Organizations should implement strict file permission controls on the /Library/Receipts/ directory and monitor for unauthorized modifications to system packages. The recommended mitigations include applying the vendor-provided security patches, implementing file integrity monitoring solutions, and ensuring that only authorized administrators can write to critical system directories. System administrators should also consider disabling or restricting the automatic execution of permission repair operations when system files are modified by unknown entities, as this vulnerability essentially exploits the legitimate system maintenance processes to achieve malicious objectives.