CVE-2009-2809 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
ImageIO in Apple Mac OS X 10.4.11 and 10.5.8 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted PixarFilm encoded TIFF image, related to "multiple memory corruption issues."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2809 represents a critical security flaw in Apple Mac OS X operating systems, specifically affecting versions 10.4.11 and 10.5.8. This issue resides within the ImageIO framework, which serves as the core image processing component responsible for handling various image file formats including TIFF. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of PixarFilm encoded TIFF images, which are a specialized variant of the TIFF format designed for high dynamic range imaging and widely used in professional digital imaging applications. When a maliciously crafted PixarFilm TIFF image is processed by the vulnerable system, the ImageIO framework fails to properly validate or sanitize the image data structure, leading to exploitable memory corruption conditions that can be leveraged by remote attackers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through multiple memory corruption issues that manifest when the ImageIO framework attempts to parse the malformed PixarFilm TIFF image data. These memory corruption flaws typically involve buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or invalid memory access patterns that occur during the image decompression and rendering processes. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through legitimate image processing operations that occur automatically when users open image files or when applications attempt to display images. The memory corruption issues are directly related to CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities. Attackers can craft malicious TIFF files that, when processed by the vulnerable system, cause the application to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application, or alternatively cause a denial of service through application crashes and system instability.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-2809 extends beyond simple exploitation to encompass significant security risks for Mac OS X users and organizations. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized code execution capabilities on targeted systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can deliver malicious TIFF images through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing services without requiring any local access to the target system. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently open malicious image files or where web browsers automatically process image content. The denial of service aspect of this vulnerability can also be exploited to disrupt normal operations, causing application crashes and system instability that can impact productivity and availability. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for execution through image processing components and T1499.004 for denial of service attacks targeting application stability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-2809 should focus on immediate system updates and operational security measures. The primary and most effective mitigation involves applying the official security patches released by Apple, which address the underlying memory corruption issues in the ImageIO framework. Organizations should implement strict image file validation policies that prevent automatic processing of untrusted image files, particularly those from unknown sources or web applications. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help block potentially malicious image files before they reach end-user systems. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening image files from untrusted sources and should be encouraged to update their systems promptly. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual image processing activities and application crashes that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and understanding the attack surface presented by image processing components, which are frequently targeted in advanced persistent threat campaigns due to their widespread use and potential for privilege escalation.