CVE-2007-4690 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Double free vulnerability in the NFS component in Apple Mac OS X 10.4 through 10.4.10 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via a crafted AUTH_UNIX RPC packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4690 represents a critical double free condition within the Network File System (NFS) implementation of Apple Mac OS X versions 10.4 through 10.4.10. This flaw exists in the handling of AUTH_UNIX RPC packets, which are fundamental to the authentication mechanism used in NFS operations. The double free vulnerability occurs when the system incorrectly manages memory allocation and deallocation processes, leading to potential exploitation by remote authenticated attackers who can craft malicious RPC packets to trigger the condition. Such vulnerabilities typically arise from improper memory management where the same memory block is freed twice, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate heap memory structures and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability specifically impacts the NFS client implementation that processes authentication tokens, creating a pathway for remote code execution through carefully constructed network traffic. This issue falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-415, which describes improper deallocation of memory, and more specifically aligns with CWE-416 which addresses use after free conditions that can occur when memory is freed and then accessed later. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it enables attackers to gain full system control through network-based attacks, making it particularly dangerous in environments where NFS services are actively utilized.
The technical exploitation of this double free vulnerability requires an attacker to establish an authenticated session with the target system, as the attack vector specifically targets RPC packets that require valid authentication credentials. The crafted AUTH_UNIX RPC packets must be carefully constructed to manipulate the memory management routines within the NFS client, causing the system to free the same memory block twice. This memory corruption can then be leveraged to overwrite critical program data or function pointers, ultimately allowing the execution of arbitrary code. The attack scenario typically involves an attacker who has already gained some level of access to the system or network, as they need to be able to send authenticated RPC requests to the vulnerable NFS service. The exploitation process can potentially bypass standard security mechanisms and may require precise timing and memory layout knowledge to achieve successful code execution. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain root privileges on the affected system, enabling them to install malware, modify system files, or establish persistent backdoors. The complexity of exploitation is moderate to high, requiring understanding of both the NFS protocol implementation and memory corruption techniques, but the potential impact makes it a significant threat vector.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4690 primarily focus on immediate system updates and operational security measures. Apple released security patches for Mac OS X 10.4.11 and subsequent versions that address the memory management issues within the NFS implementation. Organizations should prioritize applying these patches as a critical security measure to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. Additionally, network segmentation and access control measures can limit exposure by restricting NFS service access to trusted networks and users. Implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous RPC traffic patterns may help identify potential exploitation attempts. System administrators should disable NFS services when not required and ensure proper authentication controls are in place to limit the attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in system components and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of network protocols. Security teams should implement regular vulnerability assessments and maintain updated threat intelligence to identify similar memory corruption vulnerabilities in other system components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 for command and script interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, indicating the multi-stage nature of exploitation that involves both initial access and privilege elevation. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify the specific RPC packet patterns associated with this vulnerability to provide early warning of potential attacks.