CVE-2008-1031 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
CoreGraphics in Apple Mac OS X before 10.5.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted PDF document, related to an uninitialized variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1031 represents a critical security flaw within Apple Mac OS X versions prior to 10.5.3, specifically affecting the CoreGraphics framework. This issue stems from an uninitialized variable within the PDF processing functionality that can be exploited by remote attackers to gain unauthorized code execution privileges or induce denial of service conditions. The vulnerability specifically impacts the handling of crafted PDF documents, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently encounter untrusted PDF content.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper initialization of variables within CoreGraphics when processing PDF documents. When a maliciously crafted PDF file is opened, the uninitialized variable can contain unpredictable data values that lead to memory corruption. This memory corruption can be exploited to overwrite critical memory locations, allowing attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-457 category of "Use of Uninitialized Variable" which is a well-documented weakness that can lead to various security consequences including privilege escalation and remote code execution.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to Mac OS X users as PDF documents are commonly encountered in email attachments, web downloads, and shared network resources. Attackers can craft malicious PDF files that appear legitimate but contain embedded exploits designed to trigger the uninitialized variable condition when opened by vulnerable systems. The vulnerability can result in either arbitrary code execution, where attackers gain complete control over the affected system, or denial of service conditions that cause applications to crash and potentially disrupt user productivity. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise Mac systems in enterprise environments or personal computing scenarios.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to initial access through malicious documents and privilege escalation through code execution. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign file formats like PDF can serve as attack vectors for sophisticated exploits. Organizations and individuals should consider implementing multiple layers of defense including regular system updates, email filtering solutions, and user education about the risks of opening untrusted PDF documents. The patch for this vulnerability, released as part of Mac OS X 10.5.3, addresses the uninitialized variable issue by ensuring proper initialization of all variables before use in the PDF processing pipeline. System administrators should prioritize deployment of this security update across all affected Mac systems to mitigate the risk of exploitation.