CVE-2010-1808 in Mac OS X Server
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in Apple Type Services (ATS) in Apple Mac OS X 10.5.8 and 10.6.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted embedded font in a document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1808 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within Apple Type Services (ATS) component of Mac OS X operating systems. This flaw affects versions 10.5.8 and 10.6.4, where the ATS framework handles font processing and rendering operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation when processing embedded fonts within documents, creating an exploitable condition that can be triggered through maliciously crafted font data. The buffer overflow occurs during the parsing of font metadata, specifically when the system attempts to store font information beyond the allocated stack buffer space, leading to potential memory corruption.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves remote attackers who can embed specially crafted fonts within documents such as pdf files, word processing documents, or other rich text formats that support embedded font rendering. When a user opens such a document, the ATS component processes the embedded font data without proper bounds checking, causing the stack buffer to overflow. This overflow can overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function pointers, enabling attackers to redirect program execution flow. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates the classic exploitation pattern where attacker-controlled data overflows a fixed-size buffer on the stack. The attack vector operates through the document processing pipeline, leveraging the legitimate font rendering functionality to deliver malicious payloads.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1808 extends beyond simple application crashes to encompass full remote code execution capabilities. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, typically the document viewer or office suite that processes the malicious document. This can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it without physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently open documents from untrusted sources. The denial of service aspect manifests as application crashes that can be leveraged for persistent disruption of services or as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving execution through document processing and privilege escalation, potentially enabling lateral movement within compromised networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1808 primarily focus on immediate system updates and operational hardening measures. Apple released security patches for affected versions of Mac OS X that addressed the buffer overflow condition in ATS through improved input validation and bounds checking. Organizations should prioritize deployment of these patches as a critical security measure. Additionally, implementing document sanitization policies that restrict embedded font usage in corporate environments can provide defense in depth. Network-based protections such as email filtering and web content restrictions can prevent delivery of malicious documents containing the vulnerable font data. System administrators should consider disabling unnecessary font rendering capabilities where possible and monitor for suspicious document processing activities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in system components that handle untrusted data, emphasizing the need for regular security assessments of core system services.