CVE-2007-6165 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Mail in Apple Mac OS X Leopard (10.5.1) allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an AppleDouble attachment containing an apparently-safe file type and script in a resource fork, which does not warn the user that a separate program is going to be executed. NOTE: this is a regression error related to CVE-2006-0395.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2025
This vulnerability exists in Apple Mac OS X Leopard version 10.5.1 and represents a sophisticated code execution flaw that exploits the operating system's handling of AppleDouble file format attachments. The vulnerability stems from a regression in how the mail application processes files that contain embedded scripts within resource forks, specifically when these files appear to be harmless document types. The flaw allows remote attackers to craft malicious email attachments that appear safe to users while secretly embedding executable code within the resource fork of seemingly benign file types such as images or documents. This represents a classic example of a resource fork exploitation technique where the primary file content appears harmless but contains hidden executable code that bypasses normal security warnings. The vulnerability specifically targets the mail application's failure to properly warn users about the execution of code contained within the resource fork, creating a user-assisted remote execution scenario where the attacker needs minimal user interaction to achieve code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability relies on the AppleDouble file format which is used on mac os systems to store both the standard file data and additional resource fork information. When a user receives an email attachment that contains an AppleDouble file with a resource fork containing malicious code, the system processes the file without alerting the user to the presence of the embedded executable content. This regression from CVE-2006-0395 indicates that a previous fix was either incomplete or was reverted in the leopard release, allowing the vulnerability to persist and potentially be exploited by attackers who understand how to construct these specific file formats. The resource fork mechanism in mac os allows for storing additional metadata and executable code within files, and this vulnerability exploits the mail application's insufficient validation of such content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on target systems with the privileges of the user who opens the malicious email attachment. The user-assisted nature of the attack means that social engineering may be required to get the user to open the attachment, but once opened, the malicious code executes automatically without additional user interaction beyond the initial file opening. This creates a persistent threat vector where attackers can deliver malware, backdoors, or other malicious payloads through email channels that appear legitimate. The vulnerability affects the core mail functionality of the operating system and represents a critical security gap in the sandboxing and execution model of mac os applications. This type of vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-78 and CWE-79 attack patterns as it involves code injection and execution bypass mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require multiple layers of protection including immediate system updates to address the regression, enhanced email filtering and sandboxing of attachments, and user education about the risks of opening unknown email attachments. Organizations should implement strict email security policies that scan and quarantine suspicious file types, particularly those that might contain embedded resource forks or AppleDouble formats. System administrators should consider disabling automatic execution of code within email attachments and ensure that all users are running the latest security patches. The fix for this vulnerability would involve modifying the mail application's file processing logic to properly detect and warn users about files containing executable content within resource forks, effectively addressing the root cause of the regression. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining consistent security practices across software updates and the need for comprehensive testing of security features during release cycles.