CVE-2014-1315 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in CoreServicesUIAgent in Apple OS X 10.9.x through 10.9.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via format string specifiers in a URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1315 represents a critical format string vulnerability within the CoreServicesUIAgent component of Apple's macOS operating system versions 10.9.x through 10.9.2. This flaw resides in the system's user interface agent responsible for handling various core services interactions and can be exploited by remote attackers to gain unauthorized code execution capabilities or induce system instability through denial of service conditions. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the CoreServicesUIAgent processes URL inputs containing malformed format string specifiers, creating a pathway for malicious code injection attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of user-supplied input within the CoreServicesUIAgent's string formatting routines. When a malicious URL containing format string specifiers is processed, the agent fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before using it in printf-style functions. This allows attackers to manipulate the format string parsing behavior and potentially overwrite memory locations or redirect program execution flow. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-134 which describes the weakness of using user-controlled format strings in printf-style functions without proper validation, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution within the context of the privileged CoreServicesUIAgent process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution capabilities to include potential system compromise and denial of service scenarios. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges since CoreServicesUIAgent operates with system-level permissions, potentially allowing full system compromise. Additionally, the vulnerability can be used to cause application crashes or system instability by triggering memory corruption through malformed format string inputs. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no local privileges and can be delivered remotely through crafted URLs, making it accessible to any user who interacts with malicious web content or downloads compromised files.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1315 should focus on immediate patch application and system hardening measures. Apple released security updates for macOS 10.9.3 and subsequent versions that address this vulnerability through proper input validation and sanitization of format string parameters within the CoreServicesUIAgent component. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of these patches across all affected systems and implement network-level controls to prevent access to known malicious URLs. Additional protective measures include monitoring system logs for suspicious format string processing activities and implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized code within privileged system components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in system services and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1548.001 for Abuse of System Firmware, highlighting the need for comprehensive security controls across multiple attack surface areas.