CVE-2010-0546 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Folder Manager in Apple Mac OS X 10.5.8, and 10.6 before 10.6.4, allows local users to delete arbitrary folders via a symlink attack in conjunction with an unmount operation on a crafted volume, related to the Cleanup At Startup folder.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-0546 represents a significant privilege escalation and arbitrary file deletion flaw within Apple Mac OS X operating systems. This security issue affects versions 10.5.8 and earlier releases of Mac OS X, as well as versions 10.6 through 10.6.3, making it a widespread concern across multiple system generations. The vulnerability specifically targets the Folder Manager component, which is responsible for managing system folders and their cleanup operations during system startup processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a race condition and symlink manipulation attack pattern that leverages the Cleanup At Startup folder functionality. Attackers can create malicious symbolic links that, when combined with an unmount operation on a specially crafted volume, enable them to delete arbitrary folders on the system. This attack requires local user privileges but can result in significant system compromise, as it allows deletion of critical system directories and files. The vulnerability operates by manipulating the folder cleanup process that occurs during system startup, where the system attempts to clean up temporary and cache directories.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file deletion capabilities, as it can be used to remove critical system components and potentially disable system functionality. When combined with other attack vectors, this vulnerability could allow attackers to compromise system integrity and availability. The attack mechanism specifically targets the timing window between when the system mounts a volume and when it performs cleanup operations, exploiting a window where symbolic link resolution occurs without proper privilege validation. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-367 category of Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) flaws, which are commonly exploited in privilege escalation scenarios.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a prime example of how seemingly innocuous system cleanup processes can be exploited for malicious purposes. The attack requires local system access but can be particularly dangerous when combined with other privilege escalation techniques or when targeting system directories. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including system updates to the patched versions of Mac OS X, which address the symlink handling and cleanup operations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and "File and Directory Permissions Modification" tactics. System administrators should monitor for suspicious symlink creation patterns and ensure that system cleanup operations properly validate symbolic link targets before processing them. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and privilege checking in system-level operations, particularly those involving file system manipulation and cleanup processes that occur during critical system events such as startup operations.