CVE-2007-0465 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in Apple Installer 2.1.5 on Mac OS X 10.4.8 allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in a (1) PKG, (2) DISTZ, or (3) MPKG package filename.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0465 represents a critical format string vulnerability within Apple Installer 2.1.5 component of Mac OS X 10.4.8 operating system. This flaw exists in the package installation handling mechanism where the installer fails to properly validate or sanitize user-provided input strings before processing them as format specifiers. The vulnerability specifically affects the parsing of package filenames during installation operations, creating a path for malicious actors to inject arbitrary code execution commands through carefully crafted format string sequences.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-134, which categorizes format string vulnerabilities as weaknesses occurring when a program uses user-supplied data as a format string without proper validation. In this case, the Apple Installer processes package filenames containing format specifiers such as %s, %d, or other printf-style formatting characters that can be manipulated to control memory access patterns. When the installer encounters these malformed format strings in PKG, DISTZ, or MPKG package filenames, it attempts to interpret them as formatting directives rather than literal filename characters, leading to potential stack corruption and arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it enables user-assisted remote code execution scenarios where attackers can craft malicious package files with specially formatted names to exploit the installer. This creates a significant attack surface since package installation is a common system operation that may be performed by users with varying privilege levels. The vulnerability essentially allows an attacker to inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the installer process, potentially leading to system compromise, privilege escalation, or data exfiltration.
The attack vector requires minimal user interaction as the vulnerability is triggered during normal package installation operations, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may unknowingly download or receive malicious packages. The vulnerability affects the core installer functionality and can be exploited across different package types including standard PKG files, compressed DISTZ archives, and multi-package MPKG containers. This broad scope increases the likelihood of successful exploitation in real-world scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the affected Apple Installer component through official security updates from Apple. System administrators should implement strict package verification processes and avoid installation of packages from untrusted sources. Network-level controls can be implemented to filter or quarantine suspicious package files, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for abnormal installer behavior. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in system components and highlights the necessity of following secure coding practices that prevent format string vulnerabilities as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework categories related to privilege escalation and code injection techniques.