CVE-2010-3786 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
QuickLook 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 (memory corruption and application crash) via a crafted Excel file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3786 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within QuickLook, a core system component in Apple Mac OS X 10.6.x versions prior to 10.6.5. QuickLook serves as a rapid preview mechanism that allows users to quickly view file contents without opening them in their respective applications, making it a frequently accessed system service that processes various file formats including Microsoft Excel documents. This vulnerability specifically targets the Excel file handling functionality within QuickLook's preview engine, creating a potential attack surface that could be exploited by remote adversaries.
The technical flaw manifests through improper input validation and memory handling when QuickLook processes maliciously crafted Excel files. When a user encounters such a file either through Finder or other applications that utilize QuickLook for previews, the system attempts to parse the Excel file structure in a manner that leads to memory corruption. This memory corruption can result in unpredictable behavior including application crashes, system instability, and more critically, the potential for arbitrary code execution within the privileges of the QuickLook process. The vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking and improper handling of malformed Excel file structures that QuickLook's preview engine does not adequately sanitize before processing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it provides attackers with a potential pathway for remote code execution on affected systems. An attacker could craft a specially formatted Excel file that, when previewed by QuickLook, triggers the memory corruption leading to arbitrary code execution. This capability is particularly concerning because QuickLook operates with elevated privileges and is frequently accessed during normal user activities, making exploitation relatively straightforward. The vulnerability affects a broad range of users who may encounter malicious files through email attachments, web downloads, or shared network resources, creating widespread potential for exploitation across different threat scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3786 primarily focus on updating to Apple Mac OS X 10.6.5 or later versions where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and memory handling improvements. System administrators should implement immediate patch management protocols to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary security updates. Additionally, users should exercise caution when handling Excel files from untrusted sources and consider disabling QuickLook previews for potentially malicious file types. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and may also relate to CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities, depending on the specific memory corruption mechanism. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be leveraged through techniques such as T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) to achieve persistent access and execute malicious payloads on compromised systems, making it a significant concern for enterprise security postures.