CVE-2008-1571 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the embedded web server in Image Capture in Apple Mac OS X before 10.5 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via directory traversal sequences in the URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1571 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the embedded web server component of Apple Mac OS X Image Capture service prior to version 10.5. This security weakness resides in the web server implementation that processes Uniform Resource Identifiers containing malicious traversal sequences, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive system files. The vulnerability specifically affects the embedded web server functionality that is part of the Image Capture framework, which provides web-based interfaces for managing imaging devices and system resources.
This directory traversal vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the URI processing logic of the embedded web server. When the server receives a request containing directory traversal sequences such as "../" or "..\\", it fails to properly validate or sanitize these components before processing file system requests. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate the web server into accessing files outside of the intended directory scope, effectively bypassing normal access controls and file system restrictions. The technical implementation lacks proper path normalization and validation mechanisms that would normally prevent such traversal attacks, making it possible for remote adversaries to navigate the file system hierarchy freely.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected system, potentially exposing sensitive system information, configuration files, user data, and application resources. Attackers could exploit this weakness to read system configuration files, access user credentials, obtain application source code, or retrieve other confidential information that could be used for further exploitation. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects a core system service that is typically enabled and accessible over the network, providing attackers with persistent access to system resources without requiring local system compromise or authentication. This makes the vulnerability especially attractive for reconnaissance and initial access phases of targeted attacks.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately apply the security patches provided by Apple for Mac OS X 10.5 and later versions, which address the directory traversal issue through proper input validation and path sanitization mechanisms. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of affected services, while monitoring network traffic for suspicious URI patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses directory traversal and path traversal flaws, and represents a common attack vector that appears in various forms across different platforms and applications. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and information gathering, as attackers can leverage the flaw to access sensitive system information and potentially escalate privileges through access to system configuration files or user credentials. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other applications and services that may be susceptible to the same class of attacks.