CVE-2007-3747 in Ichat
Summary
by MITRE
The Java interface to CoreAudio on Apple Mac OS X 10.3.9 and 10.4.10 does not restrict object instantiation and manipulation to valid heap addresses, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted applet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-3747 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow condition within the Java interface to CoreAudio on specific versions of Apple Mac OS X operating systems. This flaw exists in the interaction between the Java runtime environment and Apple's CoreAudio framework, specifically affecting versions 10.3.9 and 10.4.10. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of object instantiation and manipulation within heap memory management, creating a pathway for malicious code execution through crafted applets. The issue manifests when Java applets attempt to interact with CoreAudio components, exploiting weaknesses in memory address validation that should normally prevent unauthorized heap operations.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in software, and CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write operations. The flaw operates at the intersection of Java virtual machine memory management and native operating system audio subsystem interfaces, creating a complex attack surface where malicious applets can manipulate heap memory addresses beyond their intended boundaries. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can deliver malicious Java applets through web browsers or other network-delivered content, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may encounter untrusted web content. The CoreAudio interface provides audio processing capabilities that are accessible through Java, but the lack of proper bounds checking on heap operations allows attackers to overwrite memory locations with malicious payloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise, as attackers can leverage the heap corruption to gain arbitrary code execution privileges. This represents a significant threat to Mac OS X systems in enterprise environments where Java applets are commonly used for web applications, educational tools, or business software. The vulnerability affects systems where the Java plugin is enabled in web browsers, creating a persistent attack vector that can be exploited without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. Attackers can craft applets that specifically target the heap memory management issues within the CoreAudio Java interface, potentially leading to privilege escalation, data theft, or complete system takeover. The exploitability is further enhanced by the fact that CoreAudio functionality is commonly used in legitimate applications, making the vulnerability harder to detect through standard security monitoring.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate system updates and security configuration changes. The most effective approach involves applying the official Apple security patches that address the CoreAudio heap management issues in the affected Mac OS X versions. Organizations should also implement network-based security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems to prevent access to potentially malicious Java applets. Browser security configurations should be hardened by disabling Java plugin execution in web browsers or implementing strict security policies that limit Java applet capabilities. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for unusual network traffic patterns or memory allocation behaviors that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper memory management in cross-platform interfaces and demonstrates how flaws in one system component can create widespread security implications when combined with other technologies like Java applets. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized Java applets from executing on systems, reducing the attack surface for this specific vulnerability.