CVE-2007-0646 in iMovie
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in iMovie HD 6.0.3, and Safari in Apple Mac OS X 10.4 through 10.4.10, allows remote user-assisted attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via format string specifiers in a filename, which is not properly handled when calling the NSRunCriticalAlertPanel Apple AppKit function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0646 represents a critical format string flaw affecting Apple Mac OS X versions 10.4 through 10.4.10, specifically impacting iMovie HD 6.0.3 and Safari web browser applications. This security weakness stems from improper input validation within the NSRunCriticalAlertPanel function of the Apple AppKit framework, which serves as a fundamental component for graphical user interface elements in macOS applications. The flaw manifests when applications process filenames containing format string specifiers such as %s, %d, or other printf-style formatting characters without adequate sanitization or proper handling mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a remote user-assisted attack vector where malicious actors can craft specially formatted filenames that contain format string specifiers. When these filenames are processed by affected applications, the NSRunCriticalAlertPanel function fails to properly escape or validate the input, leading to unexpected behavior in the application's memory management and string processing routines. This improper handling causes the application to interpret the format specifiers as actual memory addresses or control sequences rather than literal text, resulting in memory corruption and subsequent application crashes. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of CWE-134, which specifically addresses format string vulnerabilities, and CWE-248, dealing with exceptions that are not handled properly.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-0646 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it demonstrates the broader risk of improper input validation in system-level applications. When exploited, the vulnerability can cause complete application termination, forcing users to restart affected software and potentially disrupting workflow processes. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed through user interaction with maliciously crafted files, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter untrusted content. This vulnerability affects core system components that are integral to user experience and productivity, as both iMovie and Safari are widely used applications on macOS platforms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on input sanitization and proper parameter handling within the affected applications. System administrators should prioritize immediate patch deployment for the affected macOS versions, as Apple would have released security updates addressing the specific NSRunCriticalAlertPanel handling issues. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted files, particularly those with unusual naming conventions or containing special characters. The remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploitation of software vulnerabilities through improper input handling, and emphasizes the importance of secure coding practices that prevent format string injection attacks. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain updated security patches to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being leveraged in more sophisticated attack scenarios.