CVE-2011-3453 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in libresolv in Apple Mac OS X before 10.7.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (heap memory corruption and application crash) via crafted DNS data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-3453 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the libresolv library component of Apple Mac OS X operating systems. This issue affects versions prior to 10.7.3 and stems from improper handling of DNS data structures during resolution processes. The libresolv library serves as a fundamental component for DNS resolution operations across the macOS ecosystem, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard network communication channels. The flaw specifically manifests when processing malformed DNS responses containing crafted data that triggers integer overflow conditions during memory allocation calculations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of DNS packet structures where attackers can craft malicious DNS responses that contain oversized or malformed resource record data. When the affected libresolv library attempts to process these crafted records, the integer overflow occurs during heap memory allocation calculations. This overflow corrupts adjacent heap memory regions, creating opportunities for memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code or induce application crashes. The vulnerability operates at the network protocol level, making it accessible through standard DNS communication channels without requiring local system access or privileged credentials.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to macOS systems as it allows remote attackers to compromise system integrity and availability. The potential for arbitrary code execution means that attackers could gain full control over affected systems, potentially leading to data theft, system takeover, or deployment of additional malware. The denial of service aspect creates additional operational concerns as legitimate applications relying on DNS resolution could experience crashes or unresponsiveness. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where macOS systems depend heavily on DNS services for network operations and application functionality.
The remediation approach for CVE-2011-3453 involves updating to Apple Mac OS X 10.7.3 or later versions where the integer overflow has been addressed through proper input validation and memory allocation safeguards. System administrators should prioritize patch deployment across all affected macOS systems to eliminate the risk of exploitation. Additional mitigations include implementing DNS filtering mechanisms and network monitoring to detect and block suspicious DNS traffic patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation strategies to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and represents a typical example of how network protocol implementations can create attack vectors for remote code execution through memory corruption flaws.
The broader implications of this vulnerability extend beyond immediate exploitation risks to highlight fundamental security considerations in system library design. The fact that this flaw exists within libresolv, a core system component, demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in widely deployed software libraries. Security professionals should view this vulnerability as representative of the ongoing challenges in maintaining secure network protocol implementations. The attack surface for such vulnerabilities remains broad due to the essential nature of DNS services in network communications, making regular security updates and vulnerability assessments crucial for maintaining system integrity. This particular vulnerability also underscores the necessity of following security best practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks to prevent similar issues in future software implementations.