CVE-2011-3450 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
CoreUI in Apple Mac OS X 10.7.x before 10.7.3 does not properly restrict the allocation of stack memory, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory consumption and application crash) via a long URL.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3450 resides within the CoreUI framework of Apple Mac OS X 10.7.x systems prior to version 10.7.3, representing a critical memory management flaw that exposes the operating system to remote code execution and denial of service attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the stack memory allocation mechanisms within CoreUI, which is responsible for handling user interface elements and graphical rendering components in macOS applications. The flaw manifests when the system processes malformed or excessively long URLs, creating a condition where stack memory can be improperly allocated or consumed beyond normal boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory boundary checking within CoreUI's URL processing routines. When a remote attacker crafts a maliciously long URL and presents it to a vulnerable macOS system, the CoreUI component attempts to allocate stack space to process the URL string without sufficient bounds checking. This improper memory allocation behavior creates a scenario where the stack can be exhausted or overwritten, leading to unpredictable system behavior. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through web-based attacks where users unknowingly navigate to malicious URLs, making it a significant threat in phishing campaigns and web-based exploitation scenarios.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates multiple attack vectors that can be leveraged by remote adversaries to compromise macOS systems. The primary risk involves arbitrary code execution, which could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to affected systems and potentially escalate privileges. Additionally, the vulnerability can be exploited to cause denial of service conditions through memory exhaustion attacks that crash applications or consume all available stack resources, rendering the system unstable and potentially unusable. The attack surface is broad as CoreUI is integral to many macOS applications and web browsers, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently access web content.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in relation to CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of length of input buffers, and CWE-131, which covers improper handling of memory allocation. The vulnerability also maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploitation of remote services, T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage, and T1499 for network denial of service. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to macOS 10.7.3 or later, implementing network-based URL filtering solutions, and monitoring for suspicious URL access patterns. Additionally, system administrators should consider deploying application whitelisting policies and web application firewalls to reduce the attack surface and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper memory management practices and input validation in preventing stack-based buffer overflow conditions that can lead to system compromise.