CVE-2010-1374 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in iChat in Apple Mac OS X 10.5.8, and 10.6 before 10.6.4, when AIM is used, allows remote attackers to create arbitrary files via directory traversal sequences in an inline image-transfer operation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1374 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Apple's iChat messaging application running on Mac OS X versions 10.5.8 and 10.6 prior to 10.6.4. This security weakness specifically manifests when the AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) protocol is utilized within the iChat environment, creating an exploitable condition that enables remote attackers to manipulate file system operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize file paths during inline image transfer operations, allowing malicious actors to craft specially formatted directory traversal sequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of file path specifications within the iChat application's image transfer functionality. When a user receives an inline image transfer request via AIM protocol, the application processes the file path without adequate sanitization checks, enabling attackers to inject directory traversal sequences such as "../" or similar patterns. This flaw operates at the application layer and leverages the underlying operating system's file system permissions, potentially allowing attackers to write files to arbitrary locations on the victim's system. The vulnerability specifically affects the image transfer mechanism within the AIM protocol implementation, which is part of the broader iChat messaging infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file creation capabilities, as it provides attackers with the potential to execute arbitrary file system operations that could lead to system compromise. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to place malicious files in critical system directories, potentially enabling privilege escalation or persistent access mechanisms. The vulnerability affects users who have iChat configured to accept AIM protocol connections, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where messaging systems are widely deployed. Attackers could exploit this to install backdoors, modify system files, or create persistent malware installations that survive system reboots.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1078 for valid accounts, as attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to establish persistent access. The security implications extend to potential privilege escalation scenarios where attackers could manipulate system configuration files or create malicious executables in system directories. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in their overall security posture assessment, particularly when evaluating messaging and communication applications within their network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1374 primarily involve applying the official security patches released by Apple for Mac OS X 10.5.8 and 10.6.4, which address the directory traversal vulnerability in the iChat application's AIM protocol implementation. System administrators should also implement network-level controls to restrict AIM protocol usage where possible, and consider disabling inline image transfer features in messaging applications. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for unusual file creation patterns in system directories and implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict iChat's file system access. Organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected versions of Mac OS X and ensure timely patch deployment to prevent exploitation of this directory traversal vulnerability.