CVE-2007-0236 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Double free vulnerability in the _ATPsndrsp function in Apple Mac OS X 10.4.8, and possibly other versions, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (kernel panic) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted AppleTalk request that triggers a heap-based buffer overflow.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0236 represents a critical double free condition within the AppleTalk protocol implementation of Mac OS X 10.4.8 and potentially other versions. This flaw exists in the _ATPsndrsp function which handles AppleTalk response packets, making it a significant target for exploitation. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices where the same memory block gets freed twice during the processing of crafted AppleTalk requests, creating a potential for both denial of service and arbitrary code execution scenarios.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves heap-based buffer overflow conditions that occur when the _ATPsndrsp function processes malformed AppleTalk packets. When an attacker crafts a specially designed AppleTalk request, the function fails to properly validate input parameters before freeing memory resources, leading to the double free scenario. This memory corruption can result in kernel panic conditions that crash the entire operating system, while simultaneously providing potential pathways for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution within the kernel space. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-415 which specifically addresses double free conditions in memory management operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents substantial risks to Mac OS X systems running the affected versions, particularly in networked environments where AppleTalk protocol traffic might be present or accessible. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers need not be physically present on the system, allowing for network-based attacks that can disrupt services or gain unauthorized access to system resources. The potential for kernel-level compromise makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can provide attackers with elevated privileges and persistent access to the affected systems. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish backdoors, escalate privileges, or perform complete system compromise operations.
The impact extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the potential for code execution within kernel space creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate system behavior, access sensitive data, or establish persistent footholds within the network. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where AppleTalk might still be in use for legacy system communications, making proper patch management and network segmentation critical defensive measures. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including disabling AppleTalk protocol services where possible, applying security patches, and monitoring network traffic for suspicious AppleTalk activity patterns. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and denial of service techniques, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security monitoring and incident response procedures to detect and respond to exploitation attempts effectively.