CVE-2007-3748 in iChat
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the UPnP IGD (Internet Gateway Device Standardized Device Control Protocol) implementation in iChat on Apple Mac OS X 10.3.9 and 10.4.10 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 identified as CVE-2007-3748 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Universal Plug and Play Internet Gateway Device implementation found in Apple Mac OS X versions 10.3.9 and 10.4.10. This issue resides in the iChat application's handling of standardized device control protocol packets, specifically targeting the UPnP IGD functionality that enables network devices to communicate and configure internet gateways automatically. The flaw manifests when the system processes malformed or specially crafted network packets designed to exploit memory boundaries within the UPnP implementation, creating a potential entry point for malicious actors.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the UPnP IGD control protocol handler, which fails to properly bounds-check data received from network sources. When iChat receives a crafted packet containing oversized or malformed data structures, the application's memory management routines overflow the designated buffer space, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption can be leveraged to redirect program execution flow, enabling remote code execution with the privileges of the affected process. The vulnerability specifically affects the device control protocol implementation that handles internet gateway device communications, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where UPnP functionality is enabled.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-3748 extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a privilege escalation vector that could compromise entire systems when attackers exploit this vulnerability from network-adjacent positions. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that iChat was a widely used application on Mac OS X systems, and the vulnerability could be exploited by attackers positioned within the same network segment or even across certain network boundaries depending on firewall configurations. This flaw could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources, execute arbitrary commands, and potentially establish persistent access points within the compromised network infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a significant concern for enterprise network security where UPnP services might be enabled without proper network segmentation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, as Apple released security updates addressing this specific buffer overflow condition in subsequent software releases. Network administrators should implement strict firewall rules to restrict UPnP traffic between internal networks and external interfaces, particularly disabling UPnP functionality on systems that do not require it for legitimate operations. The implementation of network segmentation and access control measures can significantly reduce the attack surface by preventing unauthorized network-adjacent access to vulnerable systems. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for anomalous UPnP protocol behavior and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and remote code execution through protocol manipulation, emphasizing the need for comprehensive network security controls and regular system patch management to prevent exploitation of such foundational software vulnerabilities.