CVE-2007-0725 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the AirPortDriver module for AirPort in Apple Mac OS X 10.3.9 through 10.4.9, when running on hardware with the original AirPort wireless card, allows local users to execute arbitrary code by "sending malformed control commands."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0725 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the AirPortDriver module of Apple Mac OS X operating systems. This security weakness affects versions 10.3.9 through 10.4.9 and specifically manifests when the system operates on hardware equipped with the original AirPort wireless card. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the wireless driver component that processes control commands from the network interface. The buffer overflow occurs when the driver receives malformed control commands that exceed the allocated memory buffer space, causing memory corruption that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient boundary checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The AirPortDriver module fails to properly validate the length and structure of incoming control commands before processing them, creating a scenario where an attacker can manipulate the command parameters to exceed buffer boundaries. This memory corruption can lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the kernel-level driver, effectively granting attackers full system control. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level where the driver executes with elevated privileges, making it a prime target for privilege escalation attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to Mac OS X systems running the affected versions and hardware configurations. Local users who can access the system with minimal privileges can exploit this flaw to gain complete system compromise without requiring network access or additional authentication. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it does not require network connectivity or complex exploitation techniques beyond sending malformed control commands to the wireless interface. This makes the vulnerability suitable for both malicious insider threats and automated exploitation campaigns. The impact extends beyond individual system compromise to potentially enable broader network infiltration when attackers can leverage compromised systems as launch points for further attacks.
The exploitation of CVE-2007-0725 aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to privilege escalation and execution through kernel-level components. The vulnerability can be classified under ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through kernel exploits, and T1059, which encompasses command and scripting interpreter usage for execution. Organizations running affected systems face potential data breaches, system takeover, and complete loss of system integrity. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of driver security and proper input validation in operating system components. System administrators should immediately implement mitigation strategies including applying Apple's security patches, disabling wireless interfaces when not in use, and monitoring for suspicious network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts.
This vulnerability highlights the broader security challenges associated with legacy wireless driver implementations and the importance of maintaining up-to-date system firmware and operating system versions. The flaw represents a classic example of how insufficient memory management and input validation can create severe security implications in system-level components. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected Mac OS X versions and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. The security community recognizes this vulnerability as a critical threat requiring immediate attention and remediation across affected deployments.