CVE-2008-3647 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in PSNormalizer in Mac OS X 10.4.11 and 10.5.5 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application termination) and execute arbitrary code via a PostScript file with a crafted bounding box comment.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3647 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the PSNormalizer component of Mac OS X versions 10.4.11 and 10.5.5. This issue resides in the PostScript processing subsystem that handles document formatting and rendering for print operations and PDF generation. The vulnerability specifically affects how the system processes bounding box comments within PostScript files, creating an exploitable condition that can be triggered remotely through maliciously crafted PostScript documents. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the PSNormalizer processes a PostScript file containing a specially crafted bounding box comment. The system fails to properly validate the size and content of this comment field, allowing an attacker to exceed the allocated buffer space and overwrite critical memory regions. This buffer overflow condition can be leveraged to manipulate program execution flow, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within the context of the affected application. The vulnerability's remote exploitability stems from the fact that the PSNormalizer component processes PostScript files automatically when they are opened or printed, making it accessible through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or network file shares.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-3647 extends beyond simple denial of service to encompass full system compromise potential. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, typically resulting in complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects core system components that handle print processing and document conversion, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through legitimate user activities such as opening PDF documents or printing files. This represents a significant concern for enterprise environments where users may inadvertently encounter malicious PostScript content through various channels, and the vulnerability's exploitation can occur without user interaction once the malicious file is processed by the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Mac OS X systems through official Apple security updates, as the flaw exists in core system libraries that cannot be easily patched through third-party means. System administrators should implement strict file validation policies for PostScript and PDF documents, particularly when these files originate from untrusted sources. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit exposure to potentially malicious content, while security monitoring should be configured to detect unusual print job processing or application termination events. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, and T1203 which addresses exploitation for privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques for document processing applications and maintaining comprehensive backup strategies to recover from potential exploitation events.