CVE-2010-1840 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the password-validation functionality in Directory Services in Apple Mac OS X 10.5.8 and 10.6.x before 10.6.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-1840 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the directory services component of Apple Mac OS X operating systems. This issue specifically affects the password validation functionality, which serves as a fundamental security mechanism for user authentication and system access control. The vulnerability exists in Mac OS X versions 10.5.8 and 10.6.x prior to version 10.6.5, creating a window of exposure where systems could be exploited by malicious actors. The buffer overflow occurs within the stack memory management of the directory services daemon, which handles password verification processes for user accounts and authentication requests. This particular flaw demonstrates the inherent risks associated with improper input validation and memory management in system-level services that handle sensitive authentication data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the stack-based buffer overflow condition to overwrite adjacent memory locations within the directory services process. Attackers can craft malicious input through unspecified vectors that trigger the buffer overflow during password validation operations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or application crashes. The nature of stack-based buffer overflows in this context means that attackers can manipulate the program's execution flow by overwriting return addresses and function pointers stored on the stack. This vulnerability type is classified as CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which falls under the broader category of memory safety issues that have historically represented one of the most common and dangerous classes of software vulnerabilities. The exploitation typically involves sending specially crafted password data that exceeds the allocated buffer size, causing the overflow to overwrite critical memory segments.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1840 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable full system compromise through remote code execution. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability could allow attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the directory services process, which typically runs with elevated system permissions. The attack surface includes any network services or applications that rely on the directory services authentication mechanism, potentially affecting user account management, network authentication protocols, and system access controls. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and represents a classic path for attackers to gain elevated privileges within a target environment. The potential for remote code execution makes this particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where Mac systems may be connected to corporate networks and exposed to external threats.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1840 primarily focus on immediate system updates and patch management to address the underlying vulnerability. Apple released security updates for Mac OS X 10.6.5 and later versions that corrected the buffer overflow condition in the directory services password validation functionality. System administrators should prioritize deployment of these security patches across all affected systems and implement comprehensive monitoring for potential exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include network segmentation to limit access to directory services, implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious authentication patterns, and configuring proper access controls to minimize the impact of potential compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and maintaining regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar memory safety issues in other system components. The remediation process should follow established security protocols for patch management and system hardening, ensuring that all systems are properly updated and monitored for continued security posture maintenance.