CVE-2007-0729 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Apple File Protocol (AFP) Client in Apple Mac OS X 10.3.9 through 10.4.9 does not properly clean the environment before executing commands, which allows local users to gain privileges by setting unspecified environment variables.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0729 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Apple File Protocol client implementation in Mac OS X versions 10.3.9 through 10.4.9. This issue stems from improper environment variable handling during command execution processes, creating a pathway for local attackers to elevate their system privileges. The vulnerability specifically affects the AFP client component that facilitates network file sharing operations between Mac systems and AFP servers, making it particularly concerning for environments where network file access is commonly utilized.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insecure execution model of the AFP client, where the system fails to properly sanitize or reset the execution environment before invoking potentially dangerous commands. When the AFP client processes certain network operations or file access requests, it inherits environment variables from the calling process without adequate filtering or clearing mechanisms. This insecure practice allows maliciously crafted environment variables to persist and influence command execution behavior, particularly when system utilities or helper programs are invoked during AFP operations. The vulnerability manifests as a classic environment variable injection flaw that enables attackers to manipulate program execution paths through carefully crafted environmental conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows local users to achieve privilege escalation from standard user level to administrative privileges without requiring authentication or specialized attack vectors. Attackers can exploit this weakness by setting specific environment variables that influence how the AFP client executes system commands, potentially enabling them to run arbitrary code with elevated permissions. This creates a persistent threat vector that could be leveraged by malware or malicious actors who gain access to a user account on the affected system. The vulnerability affects a substantial portion of Mac OS X installations during that era, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple users might have access to systems running these vulnerable versions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate system updates to the latest available Mac OS X versions that contain proper environment sanitization patches. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring for unauthorized environment variable modifications and establish strict access controls to prevent privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and CWE-78 (Improper Sanitization of Special Elements) categories, demonstrating the intersection of path traversal and command injection risks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques under T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) and T1548.001 (Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism), emphasizing the need for proper environment isolation and command execution security controls. Organizations should also consider implementing security hardening measures such as restricted user accounts, mandatory access controls, and regular security audits to prevent exploitation of similar environment-based vulnerabilities.