CVE-2008-2320 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in CarbonCore in Apple Mac OS X 10.4.11 and 10.5.4, iPhone OS 1.0 through 2.2.1, and iPhone OS for iPod touch 1.1 through 2.2.1 allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a long filename to the file management API.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2025
This vulnerability resides in the CarbonCore framework of Apple's operating systems, representing a classic stack-based buffer overflow condition that affects multiple versions of Mac OS X and iPhone OS. The flaw occurs within the file management API when processing filenames that exceed predetermined buffer limits, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent stack memory. The vulnerability demonstrates the classic characteristics of buffer overflow exploits where insufficient input validation allows maliciously crafted data to overwrite stack canaries, return addresses, or other critical memory structures. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in stack memory regions. The attack vector requires context-dependent conditions, meaning that an attacker must be able to influence the filename processing within the affected API, typically through file system operations or application-level file handling functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental memory management practices within Apple's operating systems where fixed-size buffers are used to store filename data without adequate bounds checking. When an application processes a filename that exceeds the allocated buffer space, the excess data overflows into adjacent stack memory locations, potentially corrupting the program's execution flow. This overflow can be leveraged to overwrite the return address on the stack, redirecting execution flow to malicious code injected by the attacker. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to include denial of service conditions where applications crash due to corrupted execution states. The vulnerability affects both desktop and mobile operating systems, indicating a systemic issue within the CarbonCore framework that handles core file system operations across Apple's ecosystem. The affected versions span from Mac OS X 10.4.11 through 10.5.4 and iPhone OS versions 1.0 through 2.2.1, suggesting this was a long-standing issue that persisted across multiple releases.
The operational impact of this vulnerability presents significant security implications for users of affected systems, as it provides a pathway for arbitrary code execution that could be exploited by malicious actors. Applications running on these systems become vulnerable to attacks that could compromise system integrity, potentially leading to complete system compromise or data exfiltration. The denial of service aspect creates additional concerns for system availability, as legitimate applications could be crashed by malformed filenames, creating disruption in service delivery. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability through various means including malicious file sharing, compromised applications, or social engineering campaigns that trick users into processing specially crafted filenames. The context-dependent nature of the attack requires that the vulnerable API be invoked with attacker-controlled data, making it less trivial to exploit but still highly dangerous when successful. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it could be exploited through JavaScript-based applications that interact with file system APIs. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper memory management practices in system security.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate system updates and patches provided by Apple to address the underlying buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should implement strict input validation controls at all levels of application processing, particularly in file handling components that interact with user-supplied data. The implementation of stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and other exploit mitigation techniques can help reduce the effectiveness of buffer overflow attacks. System administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify applications that may be using the vulnerable CarbonCore APIs and ensure they are updated or patched accordingly. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious file system operations that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing comprehensive security monitoring practices. Regular security audits of system components should verify that proper bounds checking is implemented in all memory management operations, particularly those involving user-controlled inputs. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of processing untrusted files and the importance of keeping operating systems updated with the latest security patches to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.