CVE-2007-0732 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the CoreServices daemon in CarbonCore in Apple Mac OS X 10.4 through 10.4.9 allows local users to gain privileges via unspecified vectors involving "obtaining a send right to [the] Mach task port."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-0732 resides within the CoreServices daemon component of Apple Mac OS X versions 10.4 through 10.4.9, specifically within the CarbonCore framework that manages core system services. This issue represents a privilege escalation vulnerability that enables local attackers to elevate their system privileges through manipulation of Mach task port send rights, which are fundamental components of macOS's Mach microkernel-based messaging system. The unspecified vectors involved in this vulnerability demonstrate the complexity and potential breadth of attack surfaces within macOS's kernel-level services, where improper access control mechanisms could allow unauthorized processes to obtain elevated privileges.
The technical flaw manifests when the CoreServices daemon fails to properly validate or restrict access to Mach task port send rights, which are critical communication endpoints used by processes to interact with the kernel and other processes. When a local user can obtain a send right to the Mach task port, they effectively gain the ability to manipulate the target process's execution context, potentially allowing them to inject code, modify memory, or otherwise compromise system integrity. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-264, which encompasses permissions, privileges, and access control weaknesses in software systems. The flaw operates at a low level within the operating system architecture, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited before higher-level security mechanisms are effectively engaged.
The operational impact of this privilege escalation vulnerability is significant for systems running affected macOS versions, as it provides local attackers with the capability to gain root-level privileges without requiring authentication or specialized tools. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning in multi-user environments or systems where untrusted local users might exist, as it effectively bypasses the fundamental security model that separates user processes from system-level operations. The attack vector involving Mach task port send rights aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through exploitation of system-level vulnerabilities, and demonstrates how attackers can leverage kernel-level weaknesses to achieve unauthorized system control.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0732 should prioritize immediate system updates to the latest available macOS versions that address this vulnerability, as Apple would have implemented proper access controls and validation mechanisms for Mach task port operations. System administrators should also implement comprehensive monitoring for unauthorized access to system services and employ least-privilege principles where possible. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of proper kernel-level access control implementations and serves as a reminder of the critical nature of maintaining up-to-date operating system versions. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their macOS environments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all systems are running patched versions that properly validate Mach port send rights and maintain appropriate privilege boundaries between user processes and system services.