CVE-2007-3744 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the UPnP IGD (Internet Gateway Device Standardized Device Control Protocol) implementation in mDNSResponder on Apple Mac OS X 10.4.10 before 20070731 allows network-adjacent remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-3744 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within the mDNSResponder service component of Apple Mac OS X 10.4.10, specifically affecting the Universal Plug and Play Internet Gateway Device implementation. This flaw exists in the standardized device control protocol handling mechanism that enables network devices to automatically configure port forwarding and firewall rules. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes malformed packets through the UPnP IGD interface, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers positioned within the same network segment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the mDNSResponder service when parsing incoming UPnP control messages. The heap-based buffer overflow occurs because the application fails to validate the length of incoming data before copying it into fixed-size memory buffers allocated on the heap. This classic programming error allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow and enabling arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the system level within a core networking service that is often enabled by default, making it accessible to any network-adjacent attacker without requiring authentication or special privileges.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for Mac OS X systems running the affected version, as it allows remote code execution without user interaction. The attack vector requires only network adjacency, meaning an attacker within the same local network segment can exploit the vulnerability to gain control over the affected system. This presents a substantial threat in shared network environments such as corporate offices, public Wi-Fi networks, or residential networks where multiple devices share the same broadcast domain. The exploitability of this vulnerability is further enhanced by the fact that the mDNSResponder service typically runs with elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to achieve system-level compromise and persistent access.
The security implications extend beyond simple remote code execution, as this vulnerability can be leveraged as a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within a network environment. Attackers can use this vulnerability to establish backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy additional malware payloads. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and represents a common attack pattern documented in various threat intelligence reports. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving remote service exploitation and privilege escalation, potentially enabling initial access and lateral movement within compromised networks. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability as it represents a known exploit that could be actively used in the wild, particularly in environments where Mac systems are exposed to untrusted network traffic or where network segmentation is insufficient to prevent adjacent network attacks. The remediation strategy should include immediate deployment of Apple's security update 2007-07-31, which addresses the buffer overflow condition through proper input validation and memory management practices.