CVE-2013-5168 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Console in Apple Mac OS X before 10.9 allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary applications by triggering a log entry with a crafted attached URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5168 resides within the console logging mechanism of Apple Mac OS X operating systems prior to version 10.9. This flaw represents a significant security weakness that exploits the way the system handles URL attachments within log entries, creating an avenue for remote code execution through user-assisted attacks. The vulnerability specifically targets the console application's processing of maliciously crafted URLs that are embedded within log messages, enabling attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the console logging subsystem, which fails to properly handle potentially malicious URL schemes or malformed references that could trigger unintended application behavior.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts a malicious log entry containing a specially formatted URL that, when processed by the console application, triggers automatic execution of the referenced application or script. This type of attack leverages the trust model inherent in system logging mechanisms, where legitimate log entries are expected to be safe for processing. The flaw operates through a path traversal or command injection pattern that aligns with CWE-78 and CWE-94 categories, representing weaknesses in input validation and code execution control. Attackers typically require user interaction to initiate the exploit, as the malicious URL must be processed by an unsuspecting user who views the affected log entry within the console application interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-5168 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a method to execute arbitrary code on targeted systems with the privileges of the logged-in user. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where system administrators frequently monitor console logs or where users regularly interact with system log entries containing external references. The attack vector is classified as user-assisted remote code execution, meaning that while the attacker can remotely craft the malicious content, successful exploitation requires user interaction to view the malicious log entry. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where log monitoring is critical and users may inadvertently trigger the execution of malicious payloads through routine log viewing activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of Apple's security updates and patches that address the console logging mechanism's URL processing behavior. System administrators should implement strict input validation policies for log entries and consider disabling or restricting the automatic execution of URLs within console applications. The remediation process involves updating to Mac OS X 10.9 or later versions where Apple has implemented proper URL sanitization and validation controls. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems to prevent the delivery of malicious log entries. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving execution through command and scripting interpreter and privilege escalation through system binary manipulation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure input handling in system-level applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of logging and monitoring components within operating systems.