CVE-2010-1842 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in AppKit in Apple Mac OS X 10.6.x before 10.6.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a bidirectional text string with ellipsis truncation.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1842 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the AppKit framework of Apple Mac OS X 10.6.x operating systems prior to version 10.6.5. This issue specifically manifests when the system processes bidirectional text strings that contain ellipsis truncation, creating a condition where maliciously crafted input can trigger unpredictable behavior in applications utilizing AppKit components. The vulnerability resides in how the system handles text rendering operations, particularly when dealing with complex text layouts that involve both left-to-right and right-to-left character sequences combined with truncation mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the text processing routines of AppKit. When a bidirectional text string containing ellipsis truncation is processed, the system fails to properly validate the memory boundaries of the buffer allocated for text rendering operations. This allows an attacker to craft input that exceeds the allocated buffer space, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through legitimate text processing operations that occur during normal application use, making it difficult to detect and prevent through conventional means. This type of vulnerability maps to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how text processing libraries can become attack vectors when proper input validation is absent.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1842 extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially enable full system compromise when exploited by remote attackers. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code on a target system, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data or establishing persistent access through the compromised application. The vulnerability affects any application running on affected Mac OS X versions that utilizes AppKit for text rendering, which encompasses a broad range of system applications and third-party software. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require local access to the system, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments where Mac systems may be exposed to untrusted network traffic. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for application layer execution and demonstrates how seemingly benign text processing functionality can become a critical security risk.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1842 primarily focus on immediate system updates and application-level protections. Apple addressed this vulnerability through the release of Mac OS X 10.6.5, which included patches to the AppKit framework that properly validate buffer boundaries during text processing operations. Organizations should prioritize deployment of this security update across all affected systems, as the vulnerability remains exploitable in unpatched environments. Additionally, system administrators should implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability, particularly when analyzing traffic containing unusual text processing requests. Application developers should review their text handling code to ensure proper input validation and buffer management, implementing defensive programming practices that prevent similar issues in custom applications. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of comprehensive input validation in text processing libraries and highlights the need for regular security assessments of system frameworks that handle user-provided data.