CVE-2008-1572 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Image Capture in Apple Mac OS X before 10.5 does not properly use temporary files, which allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files, and display images that are being resized by this application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-1572 represents a critical file handling flaw within Apple Mac OS X versions prior to 10.5, specifically affecting the Image Capture application. This issue stems from improper temporary file management during image processing operations, creating a significant security risk for local attackers who can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized file system access. The vulnerability manifests when the Image Capture application processes images that require resizing or other transformations, as it fails to properly secure temporary files created during these operations.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the application's inadequate handling of temporary file creation and management processes. When processing images, the Image Capture component generates temporary files that should be securely created with proper permissions and isolation. However, the flawed implementation allows local users to predict or manipulate the temporary file paths, enabling them to overwrite arbitrary files on the system with malicious content. This improper temporary file usage creates a privilege escalation vector that can be exploited by attackers with local system access. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-377, which addresses insecure temporary file handling, and CWE-276, which covers improper file permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwriting capabilities, as it enables attackers to potentially execute malicious code through crafted image files that are processed by the vulnerable application. When users open or resize images through Image Capture, the application's temporary file handling flaw can be exploited to overwrite critical system files, configuration files, or even executable programs. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for privilege escalation attacks, system compromise, or data corruption. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where users may be tricked into opening malicious image files, as the attack can occur through legitimate application usage patterns without requiring elevated privileges beyond local system access.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Mac OS X 10.5 or later versions where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper temporary file handling mechanisms. System administrators should also consider restricting user access to image processing applications when possible, implementing file system permissions that limit temporary file creation capabilities, and monitoring for suspicious file overwriting activities. The remediation process should include comprehensive system updates and security patches, as well as user education regarding the risks of opening untrusted image files. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint protection solutions that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability pattern, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for execution and T1070 for file and directory permissions modification. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper temporary file management practices in application security, emphasizing the need for secure coding standards that prevent predictable temporary file locations and ensure appropriate file permissions during processing operations.