CVE-2007-0430 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
The shared_region_map_file_np function in Apple Mac OS X 10.4.8 and earlier kernel allows local users to cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a large mappingCount value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0430 resides within the kernel implementation of Apple Mac OS X versions 10.4.8 and earlier, specifically within the shared_region_map_file_np function. This function is responsible for managing memory mappings in the operating system's kernel space, handling the mapping of shared regions between processes. The flaw manifests when the function processes a large mappingCount value, which represents the number of memory mappings to be established. This parameter is not properly validated or constrained, creating a potential pathway for memory corruption within the kernel's memory management subsystem.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a local user who can manipulate the mappingCount parameter to values that exceed the expected range or memory allocation boundaries. When the kernel processes this oversized value, it fails to perform adequate bounds checking or input validation, leading to improper memory allocation and subsequent corruption. The memory corruption can manifest as heap overflow conditions, stack corruption, or other memory management anomalies that can destabilize the kernel's memory subsystem. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 weakness category, which specifically addresses improper validation of the length of input data, and represents a classic example of buffer over-read conditions in kernel space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as kernel memory corruption can lead to system instability, potential privilege escalation opportunities, and complete system crashes. Local attackers who can execute code with user privileges can leverage this vulnerability to cause the kernel to crash, resulting in a denial of service condition that affects the entire operating system. The severity of this vulnerability is heightened by its kernel-level nature, meaning that any successful exploitation can compromise the integrity of the entire system. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) and T1499 (Endpoint Denial of Service) techniques, as it enables local users to disrupt system operations and potentially gain elevated privileges through memory corruption.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Mac OS X systems to the latest available security updates from Apple, which would include kernel-level fixes for the memory validation issues. System administrators should prioritize deployment of the security patches released by Apple to address this specific kernel memory handling flaw. Additionally, monitoring for anomalous memory mapping behaviors and implementing proper input validation in custom kernel extensions can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in kernel space, as inadequate bounds checking can lead to memory corruption that affects system stability and security. Organizations should also consider implementing kernel hardening techniques and ensuring that all system components are kept current with security updates to prevent exploitation of similar kernel-level vulnerabilities.