CVE-2010-0506 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Image RAW in Apple Mac OS X 10.5.8 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted NEF image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0506 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Image RAW processing component of Apple Mac OS X version 10.5.8. This issue specifically affects the handling of NEF image files, which are proprietary raw image formats used by Nikon digital cameras. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the image parsing routines that process these raw format files. When a maliciously crafted NEF image file is processed by the affected system, the application fails to properly bounds-check memory allocations, leading to a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory regions beyond the allocated buffer boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of specific fields within the NEF image file structure that control buffer allocation sizes. When the Image RAW component attempts to parse these malformed fields, it allocates insufficient memory for the expected data payload, creating a scenario where subsequent data processing operations can overwrite critical memory segments including stack canaries, return addresses, or other program control structures. This buffer overflow condition creates opportunities for arbitrary code execution or system instability that manifests as application crashes or complete system hangs. The vulnerability is classified as a classic stack-based buffer overflow with characteristics that align with CWE-121, which describes "Stack-based Buffer Overflow" and is commonly associated with the MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise potential. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector requires the victim to open or process the malicious NEF file through any application that utilizes the vulnerable Image RAW component, including preview applications, photo management tools, or even web browsers that automatically process image files. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users may inadvertently encounter malicious image files through email attachments, web downloads, or removable media. The vulnerability affects the broader ecosystem of applications that depend on Apple's Core Graphics and Image I/O frameworks, creating a widespread impact across multiple software applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0506 should prioritize immediate system updates and patches provided by Apple through their security updates. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all Mac OS X systems are updated to versions that address this vulnerability, specifically targeting the 10.6.3 release or later versions that contain the necessary fixes. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing file type filtering and sandboxing measures that prevent automatic processing of raw image formats from untrusted sources. Security controls should include monitoring for suspicious file access patterns and implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict which applications can process image files. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in image processing libraries, aligning with security best practices described in the CWE catalog and supporting defensive measures recommended by the ATT&CK framework for preventing exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities.