CVE-2008-3608 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
ImageIO in Apple Mac OS X 10.4.11 and 10.5 through 10.5.4 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) or execute arbitrary code via a crafted JPEG image with an embedded ICC profile.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3608 represents a critical security flaw within Apple Mac OS X operating systems, specifically affecting versions 10.4.11 and 10.5 through 10.5.4. This issue resides within the ImageIO framework, which serves as the core image processing component responsible for handling various image formats including JPEG. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes a specially crafted JPEG image file that contains an embedded ICC color profile, creating a scenario where legitimate image processing operations can be exploited for malicious purposes.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory handling within the ImageIO framework's JPEG parsing routines. When the system encounters a JPEG image with an embedded ICC profile, the parser fails to properly validate the profile's structure and size constraints, leading to memory corruption during the parsing process. This flaw operates under CWE-121, which categorizes the issue as a buffer overflow condition, specifically involving heap-based buffer overflows that occur when the system attempts to allocate memory for the ICC profile data without proper bounds checking. The vulnerability is context-dependent, meaning that exploitation requires a specific user interaction scenario where a malicious JPEG image is opened or processed by an application that utilizes the ImageIO framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass potential arbitrary code execution capabilities. Attackers can craft malicious JPEG images that, when processed by vulnerable applications, cause memory corruption that may lead to application crashes or more severe system instability. In some exploitation scenarios, the memory corruption can be manipulated to redirect program execution flow, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This represents a significant concern for enterprise environments where users might encounter malicious attachments or images through email systems, web browsing, or file sharing platforms. The vulnerability affects a wide range of applications that rely on ImageIO for image processing, including Safari web browser, Preview application, and various third-party software that handles JPEG images.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3608 should focus on immediate system updates and application hardening measures. Apple released security updates that addressed this vulnerability by implementing proper bounds checking and memory validation for ICC profile data within JPEG images. Organizations should prioritize applying the relevant security patches from Apple's official security advisories, which typically include updated versions of the ImageIO framework that properly validate embedded ICC profile structures. Additional protective measures include implementing application sandboxing techniques, restricting user access to potentially malicious file types, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious image file transfers. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1059.007 for command and script interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, as attackers can leverage the vulnerability to execute malicious code through legitimate image processing pathways. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of input validation controls and memory safety practices that align with security frameworks like the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines, emphasizing the need for robust validation of all external data inputs including image metadata and embedded profiles.