CVE-2007-4689 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Double free vulnerability in the Networking component in Apple Mac OS X 10.4 through 10.4.10 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (system shutdown) or execute arbitrary code via crafted IPV6 packets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4689 represents a critical double free error within the networking subsystem of Apple Mac OS X versions 10.4 through 10.4.10. This flaw exists in the handling of IPv6 packets and demonstrates a classic memory corruption vulnerability that can be exploited remotely. The double free condition occurs when the system attempts to release the same memory block twice, which can lead to unpredictable behavior and potential code execution. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-415, which specifically addresses double free conditions in memory management. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through network-based attacks using specially crafted IPv6 packets, making it accessible to remote threat actors without requiring local system access or authentication.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation within the IPv6 networking stack of the affected Mac OS X versions. When the system processes malformed IPv6 packets, it fails to properly validate the packet structure before attempting to free allocated memory resources. This results in a scenario where the same memory chunk gets freed twice, potentially corrupting the heap memory structure and allowing attackers to manipulate memory pointers. The attack vector specifically targets the IPv6 protocol implementation, which is part of the broader networking component that handles internet protocol communications. This vulnerability operates at the kernel level within the operating system's networking stack, making it particularly severe as it can bypass user-space protections and directly impact system stability.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-4689 extends beyond simple denial of service to include potential arbitrary code execution capabilities that could allow attackers to gain unauthorized control over affected systems. A successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, enabling threat actors to execute malicious code with system-level privileges. The vulnerability affects a significant portion of Mac OS X 10.4.x series, which was widely deployed in enterprise and consumer environments during that time period. Organizations running these affected versions faced substantial risk of system shutdowns, data loss, and potential unauthorized access. The remote exploit capability means that attackers could target systems without physical access, making this vulnerability particularly attractive for automated attacks and large-scale campaigns. This aligns with the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique T1059 for command and control, where adversaries leverage system vulnerabilities to establish persistent access or execute malicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability required immediate patching of affected Mac OS X systems through Apple's security updates. The recommended approach involved upgrading to Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later versions that contained the necessary memory management fixes. System administrators should have implemented network segmentation and firewall rules to limit IPv6 traffic where possible, though this was not a complete solution as the vulnerability could be triggered through legitimate network protocols. The vulnerability also highlighted the importance of proper memory management practices in operating system development, emphasizing the need for rigorous testing of memory allocation and deallocation routines. Organizations should have conducted vulnerability assessments to identify systems running the affected versions and prioritized patch deployment. This incident reinforced the critical nature of keeping operating systems updated and demonstrated how seemingly minor memory management flaws could lead to severe security consequences. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-415 and its exploitation patterns align with common attack methodologies that leverage memory corruption vulnerabilities in operating system kernels, making it a significant concern for enterprise security teams.