CVE-2007-5850 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in Desktop Services in Apple Mac OS X 10.4.11 allows user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via a directory with a crafted .DS_Store file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5850 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw within the Desktop Services component of Apple Mac OS X version 10.4.11. This issue resides in the handling of .DS_Store files which are system-generated files that store custom attributes of a folder and its contents. The vulnerability specifically affects the desktop services framework that processes these files when they are encountered by the operating system. The flaw manifests when a maliciously crafted .DS_Store file is placed in a directory that is subsequently accessed by a user, creating a scenario where remote attackers can potentially exploit this weakness through social engineering or user-assisted attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking within the Desktop Services subsystem when parsing the metadata contained in .DS_Store files. When the operating system encounters a directory containing such a malformed file, the parsing routine fails to properly validate the size of data structures before copying data into heap-allocated buffers. This oversight allows an attacker to overflow the allocated buffer space and potentially overwrite adjacent memory locations, including return addresses and function pointers. The heap-based nature of the overflow indicates that the vulnerable code operates within dynamically allocated memory regions, making exploitation more complex but still feasible with proper payload construction.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-5850 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it enables arbitrary code execution within the context of the user running the affected application. This vulnerability affects the core desktop services functionality that is invoked whenever users browse directories containing malicious .DS_Store files, making it particularly dangerous in shared or networked environments where users might encounter such files. The user-assisted nature of the attack means that successful exploitation requires some form of user interaction, typically involving the opening of a directory containing the malicious file, but this requirement does not prevent widespread exploitation in environments where users frequently browse shared resources or download content from untrusted sources. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-121 which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for execution through command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-5850 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. The primary and most effective mitigation involves applying the official security update from Apple that patches the buffer overflow vulnerability in the Desktop Services subsystem. System administrators should ensure that all Mac OS X 10.4.11 systems are updated to the latest available patch level, which includes fixes for this specific heap overflow condition. Additional protective measures include implementing strict file access controls and monitoring for unauthorized .DS_Store file modifications in shared directories, as well as educating users about the risks of opening files from untrusted sources. Network-level protections such as content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms can also help reduce the attack surface by limiting the ability of malicious .DS_Store files to reach vulnerable systems. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect the presence of potentially malicious .DS_Store files in network shares and user directories. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in system services that process user-supplied data, highlighting the need for comprehensive security testing and code review processes in operating system components.