CVE-2010-1832 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in Apple Type Services (ATS) in Apple Mac OS X 10.5.8 and 10.6.x before 10.6.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted embedded font in a document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1832 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within Apple Type Services, a core component of Apple Mac OS X operating systems. This flaw exists in version 10.5.8 and all 10.6.x releases prior to 10.6.5, making it a widespread issue affecting a significant portion of Apple's user base during that period. The vulnerability specifically targets the processing of embedded fonts within documents, creating a pathway for remote code execution attacks that could compromise entire systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within Apple Type Services when handling crafted font data embedded in documents. When a malicious document containing an oversized or malformed font structure is processed by the operating system, the buffer overflow occurs in the stack memory region, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses and function pointers. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue that has been consistently exploited in various attack scenarios throughout cybersecurity history.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1832 is severe and far-reaching, as it enables remote code execution without requiring any user interaction beyond opening a malicious document. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability through various delivery mechanisms including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites that contain documents with embedded malicious fonts. The exploitability of this vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level within the core type services framework, potentially allowing attackers to gain complete system control and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries can leverage system-level vulnerabilities to execute malicious code.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends across multiple document formats that support embedded fonts, including but not limited to pdf documents, word processing files, and rich text format files. When these documents are opened by applications that utilize Apple Type Services for font rendering, the malicious font data triggers the buffer overflow condition. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through social engineering campaigns where users are tricked into opening seemingly legitimate documents that contain the malicious font payload. Security researchers have noted that the exploitation of such vulnerabilities often requires minimal user interaction, making them particularly effective in targeted attacks against corporate environments where users may encounter these documents in normal business operations.
Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability should immediately apply the security patches released by Apple as part of the Mac OS X 10.6.5 update and subsequent releases. The mitigation strategy involves not only updating the operating system but also implementing additional security measures such as email filtering, web content filtering, and user education to prevent the accidental opening of malicious documents. Network administrators should consider implementing sandboxing techniques for document processing and monitoring for unusual font-related activities in system logs. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security updates and the need for organizations to maintain comprehensive patch management programs to protect against known vulnerabilities in critical system components.