CVE-2009-2800 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Alias Manager in Apple Mac OS X 10.4.11 and 10.5.8 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted alias file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2800 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Alias Manager component of Apple Mac OS X versions 10.4.11 and 10.5.8. This security weakness resides in the system's ability to handle alias files, which are symbolic links used to reference other files or directories within the operating system's file structure. The Alias Manager is responsible for managing these symbolic references, making it a crucial component in the macOS file system navigation and application execution processes. The flaw manifests when the system processes a maliciously crafted alias file that contains more data than the allocated buffer can accommodate, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the classic buffer overflow pattern where insufficient bounds checking occurs during the parsing of alias file metadata. When the Alias Manager attempts to read and process the crafted alias file, it fails to validate the size of the incoming data against the predetermined buffer limits. This allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious payload data, potentially including shellcode designed to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through normal file system operations, requiring no special privileges beyond the ability to create or modify alias files, making it accessible to both local and remote attackers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes to encompass full system compromise capabilities. An attacker who successfully exploits this buffer overflow can achieve arbitrary code execution, potentially elevating their privileges to system level access, or alternatively cause persistent denial of service conditions that render the affected system unstable or unusable. The attack surface includes scenarios where users might encounter malicious alias files through email attachments, web downloads, or shared network drives, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently interact with external content. The vulnerability affects the core operating system components rather than third-party applications, making it especially severe as it can potentially compromise the entire system integrity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-2800 should prioritize immediate system updates and patches provided by Apple, as the vendor released security updates specifically addressing this vulnerability in subsequent macOS releases. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies that prevent the creation or execution of untrusted alias files, particularly in environments where users have elevated privileges or access to sensitive systems. Network administrators should consider implementing content filtering solutions that can detect and block potentially malicious alias files, while security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability in their systems. The implementation of security controls such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries can provide additional layers of protection, though these measures are secondary to the primary requirement of applying vendor patches and maintaining up-to-date system configurations.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with attack patterns found in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059 category for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands. The attack vector specifically relates to T1203, which involves the exploitation of vulnerabilities in operating system components, and T1499, covering network infiltration through system-level attacks. The vulnerability also reflects broader security concerns related to input validation and memory safety practices that have become central themes in modern cybersecurity frameworks and development methodologies.