CVE-2012-0065 in usbmuxd
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the receive_packet function in libusbmuxd/libusbmuxd.c in usbmuxd 1.0.5 through 1.0.7 allows physically proximate attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long SerialNumber field in a property list.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0065 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw within the usbmuxd daemon component of the libusbmuxd library. This issue affects versions 1.0.5 through 1.0.7 and resides in the receive_packet function located in libusbmuxd/libusbmuxd.c. The vulnerability manifests when the daemon processes property list data containing an excessively long SerialNumber field, creating a condition where attacker-controlled input can overwrite adjacent memory regions in the heap allocation. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, though in this case the overflow occurs in heap memory rather than stack memory. The attack vector requires physical proximity to the target device, making it a local privilege escalation vulnerability that can be exploited by adversaries who have direct access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during the processing of property list data structures that usbmuxd uses to communicate with iOS devices. When a malformed property list is received with an oversized SerialNumber field, the receive_packet function fails to validate the length of the incoming data before attempting to copy it into a pre-allocated buffer. This lack of input validation creates a predictable memory corruption scenario where the buffer overflow can overwrite critical heap metadata, function pointers, or other program state information. The heap-based nature of the overflow means that the attacker can potentially control the execution flow of the process by overwriting return addresses or function pointers stored in the heap memory layout. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, though the actual exploitation would likely involve more direct memory manipulation techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0065 is significant given that it allows for arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the usbmuxd daemon process, which typically runs with elevated permissions to facilitate communication between iOS devices and the host system. Since the vulnerability requires only physical proximity, it represents a particularly concerning threat in environments where attackers might gain access to devices through social engineering, theft, or other means of direct physical access. The exploitation of this vulnerability could enable attackers to establish persistent access to the device, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The affected usbmuxd service is commonly used in environments involving iOS device management, mobile application development, and various debugging scenarios where device communication is essential. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to install malicious software, exfiltrate data, or create backdoors on the compromised systems. The vulnerability's classification as a heap overflow also means that it could potentially be chained with other memory corruption vulnerabilities to create more sophisticated attack vectors, making it a particularly dangerous flaw in security-sensitive environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0065 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to version 1.0.8 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit physical access to devices running vulnerable versions of usbmuxd. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for unusual property list data patterns and implementing strict input validation for all data processed by the usbmuxd service. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper memory management and bounds checking in daemon processes that handle untrusted input from external sources, particularly in mobile device communication frameworks. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries to make exploitation more difficult, though these protections may not prevent successful exploitation of heap-based buffer overflows entirely. Regular security audits of system components and dependency management should be implemented to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited in the wild.