CVE-2007-1071 in Mac OS X Server
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the gifGetBandProc function in ImageIO in Apple Mac OS X 10.4.8 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (segmentation fault) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted GIF image that triggers the overflow during decompression. NOTE: this is a different issue than CVE-2006-3502 and CVE-2006-3503.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1071 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the gifGetBandProc function of Apple Mac OS X 10.4.8's ImageIO framework. This issue specifically targets the decompression process of GIF image files, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit the system through maliciously crafted image content. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking during the processing of GIF image data structures, particularly when handling band information during image decompression operations. The flaw manifests as an integer overflow condition that occurs when the system attempts to calculate memory allocation requirements based on malformed GIF metadata, leading to unpredictable behavior in the memory management subsystem.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts a specially designed GIF image file that contains malformed data structures which, when processed by the vulnerable ImageIO component, trigger the integer overflow condition. During the gifGetBandProc function execution, the system performs calculations to determine memory allocation for image band processing, but these calculations fail to properly validate the input parameters. When the overflow occurs, it results in a segmentation fault that typically causes the application to crash, leading to a denial of service condition. However, in certain circumstances, the overflow may also allow for arbitrary code execution, as the corrupted memory allocation could potentially be manipulated to overwrite critical system memory locations or function pointers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it creates a potential attack vector that could be leveraged for more sophisticated exploitation attempts. The vulnerability affects the core image processing capabilities of Mac OS X 10.4.8, meaning that any application or system component that relies on the ImageIO framework for GIF image handling could be compromised. This includes web browsers, image viewers, email clients, and other applications that process GIF files from untrusted sources. The attack surface is particularly concerning because GIF files are commonly encountered in web environments, making this vulnerability exploitable through standard web browsing activities without requiring specialized attack infrastructure.
From a security standards perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-190, which describes integer overflow conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The issue also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation and system compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic memory safety issue where insufficient input validation leads to predictable system behavior that can be manipulated for malicious purposes. The fact that this is distinct from CVE-2006-3502 and CVE-2006-3503 indicates that it represents a separate code path or function within the ImageIO framework, highlighting the complexity of software security in multimedia processing components. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching and implementation of network-level protections to prevent exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where untrusted image content may be processed automatically.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of Apple's security patches and updates for Mac OS X 10.4.8, along with network-based filtering of GIF content where possible. System administrators should implement application whitelisting policies that restrict automatic processing of image files from untrusted sources, and consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for image processing applications. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other multimedia processing components, as integer overflows remain a prevalent class of security issues in image and multimedia handling libraries. The vulnerability underscores the importance of robust input validation and memory safety practices in system components that handle untrusted data, particularly in multimedia processing frameworks that are frequently targeted by attackers due to their complex code bases and frequent use in web environments.