CVE-2007-4710 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in ColorSync in Apple Mac OS X 10.4.11 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application termination) or execute arbitrary code via an image with a crafted ColorSync profile, which triggers memory corruption.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4710 represents a critical memory corruption issue within Apple Mac OS X 10.4.11's ColorSync framework, which serves as the operating system's color management system. This flaw exists in the handling of ColorSync profiles within image files, specifically when the system processes images containing maliciously crafted color profiles. The vulnerability manifests through the improper validation and processing of external profile data, creating a pathway for exploitation that can lead to system instability and potential code execution. ColorSync is a fundamental component that manages color representation across different devices and applications, making this vulnerability particularly concerning as it affects core system functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the ColorSync profile parsing mechanism. When an application processes an image file containing a specially crafted ColorSync profile, the system's memory management routines fail to properly handle malformed profile data structures. This leads to memory corruption conditions that can result in stack overflows, heap corruption, or pointer dereference errors. The flaw operates at the kernel level within the ColorSync framework, where untrusted profile data is directly processed without adequate bounds checking or memory safety mechanisms. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds writes, both of which are common in memory corruption vulnerabilities of this nature.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-4710 extends beyond simple denial of service to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities that could allow attackers to gain unauthorized system access. An attacker could craft malicious image files with specially designed ColorSync profiles that, when opened by a vulnerable application, would trigger the memory corruption and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected process. This vulnerability particularly affects applications that rely on ColorSync for image processing, including preview applications, image editors, and web browsers that handle image rendering. The attack vector is remote, meaning that an attacker could deliver malicious content through email attachments, web downloads, or network shares, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently open compromised files.
The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that ColorSync profiles are commonly embedded within various image formats such as tiff, jpeg, and png files, making it easy for attackers to package malicious payloads within seemingly benign image files. The vulnerability affects a wide range of applications across the Mac OS X ecosystem, as ColorSync is integrated into the core system libraries that many applications utilize for color management. This makes the attack surface particularly broad and increases the likelihood of successful exploitation. Security researchers have identified this vulnerability as part of the broader category of software supply chain attacks, where malicious code is embedded within legitimate file formats and delivered through trusted channels. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1203, which covers Exploitation for Client Execution, and T1059, which involves Command and Scripting Interpreter, as the vulnerability enables arbitrary code execution through legitimate system components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4710 primarily focus on immediate system updates and application hardening measures. Apple released patches for Mac OS X 10.4.11 that addressed the ColorSync memory corruption issues, and system administrators should ensure all Mac systems are updated to the latest available security patches. Additionally, organizations should implement application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of untrusted image files, particularly those from unknown sources. Network-based mitigations include filtering image files at network boundaries and implementing sandboxing measures for applications that process image content. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in system development, aligning with industry standards such as the CERT Secure Coding Standards and the CWE guidelines for preventing memory corruption vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing color management system vulnerabilities.