CVE-2008-4224 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
UDF in Apple Mac OS X before 10.5.6 allows user-assisted attackers to cause a denial of service (system crash) via a malformed UDF volume in a crafted ISO file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-4224 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the Universal Disk Format (UDF) implementation of Apple Mac OS X operating systems prior to version 10.5.6. This issue specifically affects the way the system handles UDF volumes contained within crafted ISO files, creating a scenario where maliciously constructed filesystem metadata can trigger system instability. The vulnerability operates through a user-assisted attack vector, meaning that an attacker must convince a user to mount or interact with a specifically crafted ISO file containing malformed UDF volume data. This particular flaw falls under the category of improper input validation and memory handling issues that are commonly classified as CWE-125 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, representing an out-of-bounds read condition that can lead to system crashes.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the Mac OS X kernel attempts to process a UDF volume structure that contains malformed or corrupted data within the ISO file. When the system encounters such malformed UDF volume descriptors, the parsing routines fail to properly validate the input data, leading to memory corruption or invalid memory access patterns. This typically manifests as a kernel panic or system crash, effectively rendering the affected system unusable until a reboot occurs. The UDF filesystem implementation in older Mac OS X versions lacks proper bounds checking and input sanitization mechanisms, allowing attackers to craft ISO files that contain specially formatted UDF volume structures designed to trigger these parsing failures. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because UDF is a widely used filesystem format for optical media, making it a common attack surface for malicious actors targeting Mac systems.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations and individual users who may encounter crafted ISO files through various means such as email attachments, file sharing networks, or malicious websites. The denial of service nature of the vulnerability means that even a single compromised ISO file can bring down an entire system, potentially causing data loss or service interruption. The user-assisted nature of the attack reduces the complexity of exploitation but still represents a serious threat vector since it requires minimal user interaction beyond simply opening or mounting the malicious ISO file. This vulnerability aligns with several tactics outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the initial access and privilege escalation categories, as it provides a method for attackers to disrupt system availability and potentially create conditions for further exploitation.
The recommended mitigations for CVE-2008-4224 primarily focus on system updates and administrative controls. The most effective solution involves upgrading to Mac OS X version 10.5.6 or later, where Apple implemented proper input validation and bounds checking for UDF volume parsing routines. System administrators should also implement strict file validation policies for ISO files received from external sources, particularly those from untrusted networks or users. Network-based controls such as content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms can help prevent users from inadvertently mounting malicious ISO files. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of mounting ISO files from unknown sources, and security policies should mandate that only trusted ISO files be mounted or opened on corporate systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper filesystem implementation security practices and highlights the need for continuous security updates to address emerging threats in operating system components. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security fixes for all supported operating system versions.