CVE-2008-3645 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the local IPC component in the EAPOLController plugin for configd (Networking component) in Mac OS X 10.4.11 and 10.5.5 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3645 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within the EAPOLController plugin component of Mac OS X configd networking infrastructure. This flaw exists in the local inter-process communication mechanism that handles Extensible Authentication Protocol over Local Area Network (EAPOL) configuration management. The vulnerability affects specific versions of Mac OS X including 10.4.11 and 10.5.5, where the plugin fails to properly validate input data during IPC operations, creating a condition where malicious input can overwrite adjacent memory regions in the heap allocation space.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the EAPOLController plugin's handling of configuration data passed through the configd service. When the plugin processes EAPOL-related configuration parameters, it fails to validate the size or content of incoming data structures, allowing an attacker to craft specially formatted input that exceeds the allocated buffer boundaries. This heap corruption can lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the configd process, which typically runs with elevated system privileges. The vulnerability's exploitation requires local access to the system since it operates within the local IPC framework, making it a local privilege escalation vector rather than a remote attack.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it provides attackers with a pathway to escalate privileges within the Mac OS X environment. Since the configd service is a core networking component responsible for managing system configuration parameters, successful exploitation could allow an attacker to modify network settings, disable security features, or establish persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability's nature as a heap overflow makes it particularly dangerous because heap corruption can lead to unpredictable behavior, making exploitation more reliable and potentially allowing for more sophisticated attack techniques such as return-oriented programming or function pointer overwrites.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3645 should prioritize immediate system updates to patched versions of Mac OS X where Apple has addressed the buffer overflow in the EAPOLController plugin. Organizations should also implement least privilege principles for system accounts and monitor for unauthorized access attempts to the configd service. Network administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as mandatory access controls and process monitoring to detect anomalous behavior from the configd service. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-122 heap-based buffer overflow classification and represents a technique commonly categorized under the attack pattern of privilege escalation within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically falling under the T1068 privilege escalation tactic where attackers leverage software vulnerabilities to gain elevated system privileges.