CVE-2013-0983 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Stack consumption vulnerability in CoreAnimation in Apple Mac OS X before 10.8.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted text glyph in a URL encountered by Safari.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0983 represents a critical stack consumption flaw within CoreAnimation framework of Apple Mac OS X operating systems prior to version 10.8.4. This issue resides in the manner in which the system processes text glyphs within URL structures, specifically when these elements are encountered through the Safari web browser. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of graphics rendering and memory management, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit fundamental system resources.
The technical exploitation mechanism involves crafting malicious text glyphs within URL parameters that, when processed by Safari's CoreAnimation component, trigger excessive stack consumption patterns. This occurs because the system fails to properly validate or limit the depth of recursive operations during text rendering, particularly when dealing with complex Unicode character sequences. The flaw manifests as a stack overflow condition that can be leveraged to either execute arbitrary code with system privileges or induce a denial of service through application crashes. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-129, which addresses improper handling of buffer sizes, and CWE-676, which covers the use of potentially dangerous functions. The attack vector is particularly insidious as it requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage, making it a prime candidate for drive-by download scenarios.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for Mac OS X users, particularly those running versions earlier than 10.8.4. The ability to execute arbitrary code remotely means that attackers can potentially install malware, establish backdoors, or escalate privileges within affected systems. The denial of service component further compounds the threat by allowing attackers to disrupt normal system operations and potentially cause persistent service interruptions. The vulnerability affects the core graphics processing pipeline, making it particularly dangerous as it can impact not just Safari but potentially other applications that utilize CoreAnimation for rendering text elements. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, where the exploitation could lead to privilege escalation and persistent access. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by its location within the operating system's fundamental rendering components, making it difficult to isolate and patch without comprehensive system updates.
The recommended mitigation strategy centers on immediate deployment of Apple's security patches for Mac OS X 10.8.4 and subsequent versions. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all systems receive updates promptly, as this vulnerability affects a broad user base of Macintosh computers. System administrators should also consider implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls and URL filtering mechanisms to block access to known malicious domains. Additionally, user education regarding safe browsing practices remains critical, particularly around avoiding untrusted websites and suspicious URL parameters. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date operating system versions and implementing layered security controls to protect against zero-day exploits. Regular security assessments should include verification of system patch levels and monitoring for exploitation attempts, particularly those targeting graphics rendering components that are often overlooked in traditional security audits.