CVE-2007-0753 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in the VPN daemon (vpnd) in Apple Mac OS X 10.3.9 and 10.4.9 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via the -i parameter.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0753 represents a critical format string flaw within Apple Mac OS X 10.3.9 and 10.4.9 systems, specifically affecting the VPN daemon component known as vpnd. This issue arises from improper input validation within the daemon's handling of command-line arguments, creating a pathway for malicious exploitation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it exists within a privileged system component that manages network security functions, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise system integrity and establish persistent access.
The technical flaw manifests when the vpnd daemon processes the -i parameter without adequate sanitization of user-supplied input. Format string vulnerabilities occur when application code uses user-provided data as format strings in functions like printf or sprintf without proper validation or escaping. In this case, local users can craft malicious input that contains format specifiers such as %s, %d, or %x, which when processed by the vulnerable daemon can lead to memory corruption, information disclosure, or arbitrary code execution. The daemon's failure to properly handle these format specifiers allows attackers to manipulate the program's execution flow and potentially overwrite critical memory locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the vpnd process, which typically runs with elevated permissions. This creates a potential for complete system compromise, as the VPN daemon may have access to network configuration data, authentication credentials, and other sensitive system information. Local users who can execute the vpnd binary with elevated privileges can leverage this vulnerability to bypass normal security controls and establish persistent backdoors or exfiltrate data from the system. The vulnerability's local nature means that attackers need only have access to a low-privileged account on the system to potentially exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0753 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, as Apple released security updates to address this specific vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized local access to systems running vulnerable versions of Mac OS X, including disabling unnecessary user accounts and monitoring for suspicious command-line usage patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-134, which describes the weakness of using user-supplied data in format string operations without proper validation. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability would likely be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and script interpretation, and potentially T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual vpnd process activity, particularly when invoked with unexpected parameters, and system administrators should conduct regular security audits to ensure that all Mac OS X systems are running patched versions of the operating system.