CVE-2011-0193 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in Image RAW in Apple Mac OS X before 10.6.7 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted Canon RAW image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0193 represents a critical security flaw in Apple Mac OS X operating systems prior to version 10.6.7, specifically affecting the Image RAW component responsible for processing Canon RAW image files. This vulnerability manifests as multiple buffer overflows that occur during the parsing of malformed Canon RAW image data, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors seeking to exploit the system. The flaw exists within the image processing pipeline where raw image data is handled, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through normal image viewing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the Image RAW processing module. When a crafted Canon RAW image file is processed by the system, the insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write data beyond the allocated buffer space, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations. This buffer overflow condition can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, or alternatively cause a denial of service by crashing the application through controlled memory corruption. The vulnerability specifically targets the memory allocation patterns used during RAW image decoding, where the system fails to properly validate the size and structure of incoming image data before attempting to parse it.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-0193 extends beyond simple application crashes, as it provides attackers with a pathway for remote code execution on vulnerable systems. This capability aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of code injection and privilege escalation, where adversaries can leverage memory corruption vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized system access. The vulnerability affects systems running Mac OS X versions earlier than 10.6.7, making it particularly concerning for organizations with outdated systems or delayed patch deployment processes. Attackers could potentially deliver malicious Canon RAW files through various vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites, making this vulnerability highly exploitable in real-world scenarios.
From a compliance and security standards perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate fundamental security principles outlined in secure coding guidelines such as those provided by the Open Web Application Security Project. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate patch management procedures to update to Mac OS X 10.6.7 or later versions, while also considering network segmentation and content filtering measures to prevent the execution of untrusted image files. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for potential exploitation attempts and implement appropriate intrusion detection systems to identify malicious activity targeting this specific vulnerability class.