CVE-2007-2386 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in mDNSResponder in Apple Mac OS X 10.4 up to 10.4.9 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application termination) or execute arbitrary code via a crafted UPnP Internet Gateway Device (IGD) packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2386 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the mDNSResponder service component of Apple Mac OS X versions 10.4 through 10.4.9. This issue specifically affects the implementation of Universal Plug and Play Internet Gateway Device functionality, where the system processes incoming network packets from external sources without adequate input validation. The mDNSResponder service operates as a core network discovery mechanism in macOS, facilitating service discovery and network communication for various applications and devices. When processing a specially crafted UPnP IGD packet, the service fails to properly validate the size and structure of incoming data, leading to memory corruption that can result in either application termination or arbitrary code execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw occurs within the network packet processing pipeline of the mDNSResponder daemon, specifically when handling malformed UPnP IGD packets that contain oversized or malformed data structures. Attackers can exploit this by sending maliciously constructed packets to the affected system, triggering the buffer overflow condition that ultimately leads to system instability or remote code execution. The vulnerability's remote exploitability stems from the fact that the mDNSResponder service listens on network interfaces and processes incoming packets without sufficient sanitization measures.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to macOS users running affected versions, as it allows remote attackers to either crash the system through denial of service or gain unauthorized code execution privileges. The attack vector requires network access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where macOS systems are exposed to untrusted network traffic. The exploitation can result in complete system compromise, potentially enabling attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malicious payloads. The vulnerability affects the core network discovery functionality that many applications rely upon, making the impact broader than initially apparent.
Organizations and system administrators should immediately implement mitigations including applying the relevant security patches provided by Apple, which address the buffer overflow in the mDNSResponder service. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to UPnP services and limit exposure to untrusted networks. The implementation of network monitoring solutions can help detect anomalous UPnP packet patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments should verify that affected systems have been properly updated and that no legacy configurations remain that could expose the system to this vulnerability. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in network services, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's network service exploitation techniques, which emphasize the need for robust defensive measures against buffer overflow attacks targeting system services.