CVE-2010-0537 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
DesktopServices in Apple Mac OS X 10.6 before 10.6.3 does not properly resolve pathnames in certain circumstances involving an application's save panel, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to trigger unintended remote file copying via a crafted share name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0537 resides within Apple Mac OS X 10.6 operating system versions prior to 10.6.3, specifically affecting the DesktopServices component. This issue represents a path traversal flaw that manifests when applications utilize the save panel functionality for file operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate pathname resolution mechanisms within the DesktopServices framework, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted share names can be exploited to manipulate file system operations. The flaw operates through the interaction between the save panel interface and the underlying file system path resolution logic, where the system fails to properly sanitize or validate share names before processing them as file paths.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an application presents a save panel to the user, and a malicious actor crafts a specially formatted share name that contains path traversal sequences or special characters. When the system processes this crafted input, it fails to properly resolve the pathname, allowing an attacker to manipulate where files are saved or copied within the file system hierarchy. This behavior enables attackers to potentially copy files to unintended locations or overwrite existing files, depending on the specific implementation details of the affected applications. The vulnerability specifically targets the DesktopServices framework's handling of network share names and pathname resolution, which falls under the category of improper input validation and path handling issues.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file manipulation, as it can be leveraged in various attack scenarios including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or system compromise. An attacker can craft malicious share names that, when processed by applications using the save panel, result in unintended file operations that could overwrite critical system files or place malicious content in privileged directories. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level and can be triggered through legitimate application interfaces, making detection more challenging. The user-assisted nature of the attack means that a user must interact with the vulnerable application, but this interaction can be induced through social engineering or phishing techniques. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-770 Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling categories, representing a classic resource management flaw that can lead to unauthorized file system access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0537 focus primarily on updating to Apple Mac OS X 10.6.3 or later versions where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper pathname resolution and input sanitization. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all Mac systems are updated promptly, as this vulnerability can be exploited remotely through maliciously crafted share names. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for unusual file system activity, particularly around save operations and network share interactions, as potential indicators of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics make it susceptible to detection through behavioral monitoring tools that track file system operations and pathname resolution patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in system-level components and aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and persistence through file system manipulation. The fix implemented by Apple involved strengthening the pathname resolution logic within DesktopServices to properly sanitize share names and prevent path traversal sequences from being interpreted as actual file system paths.