CVE-2007-0751 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
A cleanup script in crontabs in Apple Mac OS X 10.3.9 and 10.4.9 might delete filesystems that have been mounted in /tmp, which might allow local users to cause a denial of service, related to the find command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0751 resides within the cleanup script functionality of Apple Mac OS X versions 10.3.9 and 10.4.9, specifically within the crontab execution environment that manages temporary filesystem cleanup operations. This issue stems from a flawed implementation of the find command within the automated cleanup processes that operate through cron scheduling mechanisms. The vulnerability represents a classic case of improper privilege management and insufficient input validation, where the cleanup script fails to properly identify and exclude mounted filesystems from its deletion operations. The flaw manifests when the script executes without adequate safeguards to distinguish between temporary files and mounted filesystems, creating a scenario where legitimate mounted volumes can be inadvertently targeted for deletion.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the find command's execution parameters within the automated cleanup script. When the cron job executes, it traverses the /tmp directory structure without proper filtering mechanisms to identify mounted filesystems, leading to potential destruction of mounted volumes that may have been temporarily mounted within this directory. This behavior directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a failure in access control mechanisms. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22, which addresses Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, and CWE-78, which covers Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command. The attack vector leverages the local user's ability to influence the state of mounted filesystems within the temporary directory structure, making this a privilege escalation and denial of service vulnerability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can result in complete system instability and data loss when mounted filesystems are inadvertently deleted. Local attackers can exploit this weakness to disrupt system operations by mounting filesystems in the /tmp directory and then triggering the cleanup script, causing the system to remove these mounted volumes. The consequences include potential loss of user data, system crashes, and complete service interruption. The vulnerability affects the fundamental integrity of the operating system's temporary file management system, which is critical for maintaining system stability. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter - PowerShell, though the specific implementation involves shell scripting and command execution within the Unix-like environment. The attack surface is limited to local users with access to the system, but the impact can be severe enough to warrant immediate remediation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0751 focus on strengthening the cleanup script's logic and implementing proper filesystem identification mechanisms. The primary solution involves modifying the cleanup script to include explicit checks for mounted filesystems before executing deletion operations, utilizing commands such as mount or df to identify active mounts within the /tmp directory structure. System administrators should also implement proper privilege separation, ensuring that cleanup operations execute with minimal necessary permissions and that the find command is properly escaped to prevent command injection. Additionally, regular system updates and patches should be applied to address this vulnerability, as Apple released subsequent versions that corrected the flawed cleanup script implementation. The implementation of proper logging and monitoring around cleanup operations can help detect unauthorized manipulation of the /tmp directory structure. Security hardening measures should also include restricting write access to the /tmp directory for non-privileged users and implementing proper filesystem mount options that prevent accidental deletion of mounted volumes. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect such flaws in legacy system configurations and ensure that proper access controls are maintained throughout the operating system's temporary file handling mechanisms.