CVE-2007-0299 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the byte_swap_sbin function in bsd/ufs/ufs/ufs_byte_order.c in Mac OS X 10.4.8 allows user-assisted remote attackers to cause a denial of service (kernel panic) by mounting a crafted Unix File System (UFS) DMG image, which triggers an invalid pointer dereference.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-0299 represents a critical integer overflow condition within the Mac OS X operating system's Unix File System implementation. This flaw exists in the byte_swap_sbin function located in the bsd/ufs/ufs/ufs_byte_order.c source file, which is part of the kernel-level file system handling code responsible for managing UFS (Unix File System) image mounts. The issue specifically affects Mac OS X version 10.4.8 and demonstrates how improper input validation can lead to system instability and complete service disruption. The vulnerability operates through a user-assisted remote attack vector, meaning that an attacker can induce the condition by providing a specially crafted UFS DMG image to a victim who mounts it.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves an integer overflow within the byte_swap_sbin function that occurs during the processing of UFS file system metadata. When a maliciously constructed DMG image is mounted, the function attempts to perform byte order swapping operations on file system structures while simultaneously handling integer arithmetic that exceeds the maximum representable value for the data type. This overflow condition causes subsequent calculations to produce incorrect values that eventually result in an invalid pointer dereference within kernel memory space. The integer overflow directly maps to CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions that can lead to memory corruption and system instability. The flaw demonstrates how improper handling of unsigned integer arithmetic can create exploitable conditions that bypass normal kernel protection mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-0299 manifests as a complete denial of service condition through kernel panic, effectively crashing the entire operating system and rendering it unusable until manual reboot occurs. This type of vulnerability represents a significant threat in environments where users may encounter untrusted file system images, particularly in scenarios involving removable media, network file transfers, or automated file system mounting processes. The kernel panic condition occurs at the lowest level of system operation, making it particularly dangerous as it cannot be contained within user-space applications and affects the core operating system functionality. From an attack methodology perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for executing malicious code through file system manipulation and T1499.004 for causing denial of service through system resource exhaustion.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system patching through official Apple security updates, as the flaw exists within the kernel-level file system handling code that cannot be effectively addressed through user-space configuration changes. System administrators should implement strict file system image validation procedures and avoid mounting untrusted DMG images from unknown sources. Network security controls should include monitoring for suspicious file system mounting activities and implementing automated scanning for potentially malicious file system structures. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper integer overflow protection in kernel code and demonstrates why comprehensive input validation is critical for system stability. Organizations should also consider implementing automated system monitoring to detect kernel panic conditions and establish robust incident response procedures for handling such critical system failures. This particular vulnerability underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date operating system patches and demonstrates how seemingly minor code flaws can result in complete system compromise through kernel-level exploitation.