CVE-2007-0741 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in natd in network_cmds in Apple Mac OS X 10.3.9 through 10.4.9, when Internet Sharing is enabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via malformed RTSP packets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0741 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the natd component of Apple Mac OS X versions 10.3.9 through 10.4.9. This issue specifically manifests when Internet Sharing functionality is active, creating a dangerous attack surface that remote adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized code execution privileges. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the network address translation daemon that handles real-time streaming protocol traffic.
The technical exploitation occurs through malformed RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) packets that are processed by the natd service. When these packets contain oversized data payloads that exceed the allocated buffer space, the overflow condition triggers memory corruption that can be leveraged by attackers to overwrite critical program execution structures. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. The attack vector operates at the network level, requiring no local privileges and enabling remote code execution through standard network communication protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities when Internet Sharing is enabled. The natd service runs with elevated privileges to properly handle network traffic translation, making successful exploitation equivalent to gaining root-level access to the affected system. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can execute arbitrary code through the compromised service. The affected systems become vulnerable to various malicious activities including data exfiltration, persistent backdoor installation, and further network reconnaissance.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch application through Apple's security updates, as the flaw exists in the core network services layer of the operating system. System administrators should disable Internet Sharing functionality on affected systems until proper security patches are deployed. Network segmentation and firewall rules can provide temporary protection by blocking RTSP traffic, though this approach does not address the underlying buffer overflow. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in network services and highlights how seemingly benign protocol handling can create catastrophic security weaknesses. Organizations should implement comprehensive network monitoring to detect unusual RTSP traffic patterns and maintain updated vulnerability assessment procedures to identify similar buffer overflow conditions in other network services.