CVE-2007-2403 in CFNetwork
Summary
by MITRE
CFNetwork on Apple Mac OS X 10.3.9 and 10.4.10 does not properly validate ftp: URIs, which allows remote attackers to trigger the transmission of arbitrary FTP commands to arbitrary FTP servers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2403 represents a critical input validation flaw within Apple's CFNetwork framework on Mac OS X versions 10.3.9 and 10.4.10. This issue specifically targets the handling of ftp: URIs and demonstrates a fundamental failure in proper URI parsing and validation mechanisms. The vulnerability exists at the core of how the operating system processes file transfer protocol references, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the FTP command execution flow. The flaw stems from insufficient sanitization of URI components, particularly those containing ftp scheme references, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary FTP commands through seemingly benign URI structures. This represents a classic example of a command injection vulnerability that can be exploited through protocol handling rather than traditional application interfaces.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the CFNetwork framework processes ftp: URIs without adequate validation of the URI components. Attackers can craft specially formatted URIs that contain malicious FTP commands within the URI structure, which are then executed by the underlying FTP client implementation. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-74, which describes "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component," specifically in the context of URI parsing and protocol handling. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially execute unauthorized FTP operations against any target server, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter untrusted web content or file references. The flaw essentially allows for arbitrary command execution within the FTP protocol context, potentially leading to data exfiltration, server compromise, or unauthorized access to sensitive resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-2403 extends beyond simple command injection, as it creates a vector for more sophisticated attacks within the Mac OS X environment. When exploited, this vulnerability can enable attackers to perform unauthorized file transfers, execute arbitrary FTP commands against remote servers, and potentially gain access to systems that would normally be protected by standard firewall and access control mechanisms. The vulnerability affects systems where users might encounter untrusted FTP references, including web browsers, email clients, or any application that processes ftp: URIs through the CFNetwork framework. This creates a significant risk in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently click on malicious links or encounter compromised web content that triggers the vulnerable URI parsing logic. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that this vulnerability affects core networking components that are used by numerous applications and system services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-2403 should focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures. The most effective solution involves applying the official security patches released by Apple for Mac OS X 10.3.9 and 10.4.10, which address the URI validation flaws in CFNetwork. Organizations should also implement network-level controls to restrict FTP traffic and monitor for suspicious FTP command patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of clicking on untrusted links or downloading files from unknown sources, as these actions can trigger the vulnerable URI parsing behavior. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command injection and protocol manipulation, specifically covering T1059.007 for command and script injection and T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls or proxy configurations that can filter and sanitize URI content before it reaches the vulnerable system components, providing an additional layer of protection against exploitation attempts.