CVE-2007-0731 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the Apple-specific Samba module (SMB File Server) in Apple Mac OS X 10.4 through 10.4.8 allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long ACL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0731 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within Apple's implementation of the Samba SMB file server module, specifically affecting Mac OS X versions 10.4 through 10.4.8. This security weakness resides in the Apple-specific Samba module that handles SMB protocol operations, creating a potential execution path for malicious actors to gain unauthorized system access. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes a malformed Access Control List (ACL) structure that exceeds the allocated stack buffer space, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited for arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the Samba module's ACL processing functions. When a remote attacker crafts a specially formatted ACL with excessive data length, the system fails to properly bounds-check the input before copying it into a fixed-size stack buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition allows attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations, potentially corrupting return addresses and control flow information. The vulnerability is context-dependent, meaning successful exploitation requires specific conditions related to network access and the ability to send crafted SMB requests to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where SMB services are exposed.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-0731 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the SMB service process. This can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms within the affected Mac OS X systems. The vulnerability affects organizations running legacy Mac OS X versions that may not receive security updates, particularly those in enterprise environments where older systems continue to operate. The attack vector through SMB protocol makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for networked file servers and shared resources that may be accessible from untrusted networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected Mac OS X versions, as Apple released security updates addressing this specific buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit SMB service exposure, disable unnecessary SMB services, and deploy network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous ACL processing patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified under the broader category of memory safety issues in software development. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability would be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script execution, potentially enabling attackers to establish persistent access through system-level code execution. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in network-facing services, as highlighted in various security frameworks and standards that emphasize defensive programming practices to prevent such memory corruption vulnerabilities.