CVE-2010-4013 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in PackageKit in Apple Mac OS X 10.6.x before 10.6.6 allows man-in-the-middle attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via vectors related to interaction between Software Update and distribution scripts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2025
The CVE-2010-4013 vulnerability represents a critical format string flaw within PackageKit, a core system component in Apple Mac OS X 10.6.x versions prior to 10.6.6. This vulnerability specifically manifests during the interaction between Software Update functionality and distribution scripts, creating a dangerous attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized system access. The flaw stems from improper handling of format strings in the PackageKit framework, which processes software installation and update operations. When the system processes update information from remote sources, it fails to properly validate or sanitize input data that contains format specifiers, leading to potential code execution or system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of improper input validation mechanisms within PackageKit's update processing pipeline. Attackers can craft malicious update payloads that contain specially formatted strings designed to manipulate the program's execution flow. These format string attacks leverage the difference between the format string provided by the attacker and the arguments expected by the printf-family functions in the code. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it occurs during legitimate system update operations, making it difficult to distinguish between malicious and legitimate update traffic. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-134, which specifically addresses format string vulnerabilities where format strings are constructed from user-controlled data without proper validation. The attack vector typically involves a man-in-the-middle position where the attacker intercepts update communications between the Mac OS X system and Apple's update servers, inserting maliciously crafted format strings into the update packages.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4013 extends beyond simple application crashes to encompass full system compromise capabilities. Successful exploitation can enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the PackageKit process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the core update infrastructure of Mac OS X, meaning that any system running affected versions could be compromised through routine software update operations. This creates a particularly insidious threat model where users are vulnerable during normal system maintenance activities, undermining the security of the update process itself. The attack can result in either remote code execution or denial of service conditions, making it attractive to threat actors seeking either persistent system access or disruption of services. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution, as the exploitation involves manipulating system processes to execute malicious code.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to position themselves within the network path between the target Mac OS X system and Apple's update servers, effectively implementing a man-in-the-middle attack strategy. This positioning allows the attacker to intercept legitimate update communications and inject malicious payloads containing format string specifiers that will be processed by PackageKit. The attack is particularly effective because it leverages the trust relationship between the system and update servers, making it difficult for traditional network monitoring solutions to detect the malicious activity. The vulnerability affects all Mac OS X 10.6.x systems prior to 10.6.6, representing a significant portion of the installed base at the time of disclosure. System administrators should note that this vulnerability can be exploited without requiring user interaction beyond normal system update processes, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where automatic updates are configured. The remediation approach requires immediate installation of Apple's security update that patches the format string handling in PackageKit, addressing the root cause of the vulnerability through proper input validation and sanitization techniques.