CVE-2008-3642 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in ColorSync in Mac OS X 10.4.11 and 10.5.5 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application termination) and possibly execute arbitrary code via an image with a crafted ICC profile.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3642 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the ColorSync framework of Apple's Mac OS X operating systems, specifically affecting versions 10.4.11 and 10.5.5. This issue resides in the color management system that processes ICC (International Color Consortium) profiles to ensure consistent color representation across different devices and applications. The ColorSync service acts as a bridge between applications and color management hardware, making it a crucial component in the operating system's multimedia processing pipeline. When an application processes an image file containing a specially crafted ICC profile, the ColorSync framework fails to properly validate the profile data, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by remote attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the ICC profile parsing mechanism. When ColorSync encounters an ICC profile with malformed or oversized data structures, the buffer overflow occurs during the processing of color space information, gamut mapping, or other color transformation parameters. This flaw operates at the kernel level within the ColorSync framework, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through legitimate image processing operations without requiring special privileges. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker crafts an ICC profile with malicious data that exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing stack or heap corruption that can lead to unpredictable behavior. According to CWE classification, this represents a classic buffer overflow vulnerability (CWE-121) that can result in arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-3642 extends beyond simple application crashes, creating potential pathways for remote code execution that could compromise entire systems. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by delivering malicious image files through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms. When a user opens such an image file, the system automatically processes the embedded ICC profile through ColorSync, triggering the buffer overflow. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as it leverages legitimate system processes to execute malicious code. The denial of service aspect affects system stability by causing applications to terminate unexpectedly, while the arbitrary code execution potential allows attackers to gain elevated privileges and establish persistent access to compromised systems. Organizations running affected versions of Mac OS X face significant risk of unauthorized system access, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within their networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3642 require immediate system updates and operational security measures to protect against exploitation. The most effective solution involves applying Apple's official security patches that address the buffer overflow in the ColorSync framework, specifically targeting the identified versions 10.4.11 and 10.5.5. System administrators should implement network-based restrictions to prevent the automatic processing of potentially malicious image files, particularly those with embedded ICC profiles. Additional protective measures include configuring sandboxing policies that limit color management service access, implementing file type filtering at network boundaries, and establishing monitoring protocols to detect unusual application termination patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in system libraries and highlights the need for regular security assessments of core operating system components. Organizations should also consider deploying endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block malicious ICC profile content, while maintaining regular security updates to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.