CVE-2010-0513 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in PS Normalizer in Apple Mac OS X before 10.6.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted PostScript document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0513 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the PS Normalizer component of Apple Mac OS X operating systems. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 10.6.3 and resides in the PostScript processing functionality that handles document normalization. The PS Normalizer serves as a crucial component in the print processing pipeline, responsible for converting PostScript documents into a format suitable for printing or display. When a maliciously crafted PostScript document is processed by this component, the buffer overflow occurs due to inadequate input validation and bounds checking mechanisms within the stack memory allocation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of untrusted PostScript input data within the PS Normalizer module. Attackers can exploit this weakness by constructing a specially crafted PostScript document that contains oversized or malformed data structures designed to overflow the allocated stack buffer. This overflow enables arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected application, typically the print daemon or document processing service. The vulnerability's classification as stack-based indicates that the overflow occurs within the program's stack memory space, where local variables and function call information are stored, making it particularly dangerous as it can overwrite return addresses and control flow information.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant security implications for Mac OS X systems, as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code without requiring local system access. The attack vector operates through network-based delivery of malicious PostScript documents, potentially via email attachments, web downloads, or shared network resources. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install malware, modify system files, or establish persistent backdoors. Additionally, the vulnerability can be leveraged for denial of service attacks, causing application crashes and system instability that can disrupt business operations and user productivity.
The impact of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes stack-based buffer overflow conditions in software systems, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through PostScript processing. Organizations utilizing Mac OS X systems before the 10.6.3 patch release faced substantial risk exposure, as the vulnerability could be exploited in various scenarios including email-based attacks, web-based delivery, and network-based file sharing environments. The remediation strategy required immediate deployment of Apple's security update 2010-001, which addressed the buffer overflow by implementing proper input validation, bounds checking, and stack memory management within the PS Normalizer component. System administrators should also implement network segmentation, email filtering, and document validation policies to reduce attack surface exposure while awaiting patch deployment.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in print processing systems and highlights the risks associated with complex document format handling in operating systems. The flaw serves as a reminder of the necessity for comprehensive security testing of system components that process untrusted data, particularly those involved in document conversion and rendering processes. Organizations should maintain updated patch management procedures and implement layered security controls to protect against similar vulnerabilities in other system components that handle external data processing.