Source: cve@mitre.org
Unspecified vulnerability in the Apple Mac OS X kernel before 10.4.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (kernel panic) via a crafted TCP packet, possibly related to source routing or loose source routing.
Apple Mac OS X kernel versions prior to 10.4.2 are vulnerable to a denial-of-service (DoS) attack. A crafted TCP packet can trigger a kernel panic, rendering the system unusable. This vulnerability could be exploited remotely, disrupting critical services and potentially leading to data loss.
Step 1: Packet Crafting: An attacker crafts a malicious TCP packet. The specifics of the packet's content (e.g., TCP options, source routing) are likely designed to trigger the vulnerability. Step 2: Packet Transmission: The attacker sends the crafted TCP packet to the vulnerable Mac OS X system, targeting a listening service or port. Step 3: Kernel Processing: The Mac OS X kernel receives the packet and begins processing it within its TCP/IP stack. Step 4: Vulnerability Trigger: The kernel's TCP processing logic encounters the crafted packet and the vulnerability is triggered. This could be due to incorrect handling of TCP options, source routing, or other packet header fields. Step 5: Kernel Panic: The triggered vulnerability leads to a kernel panic, causing the system to crash and become unavailable.
The vulnerability stems from a flaw in how the Mac OS X kernel handles TCP packets, specifically those potentially related to source routing or loose source routing. The exact nature of the flaw is unspecified in the CVE description, but it likely involves an error in the packet processing logic, potentially a memory corruption issue or an incorrect handling of TCP options. The crafted packet likely exploits a logic error within the kernel's TCP stack, causing it to enter an invalid state and crash. The lack of specific details makes pinpointing the exact function difficult, but it's likely related to how the kernel parses and validates TCP headers and options, potentially leading to a null pointer dereference, integer overflow, or other memory-related errors.
Due to the age of the vulnerability, it is unlikely to be actively exploited by sophisticated APTs. However, it could be used by less sophisticated attackers or incorporated into automated scanning tools. Not listed on CISA KEV.
Network traffic analysis: Examine network traffic for unusual TCP packets, especially those with non-standard TCP options or source routing. Look for packets that may be crafted to exploit the vulnerability.
System logs: Monitor system logs for kernel panics or other error messages related to TCP processing. These logs may indicate a successful exploit attempt.
Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Deploy an IDS with rules specifically designed to detect malicious TCP packets or unusual network traffic patterns.
Packet capture: Capture network traffic for analysis, looking for the specific characteristics of the crafted TCP packets that trigger the vulnerability.
Upgrade: Upgrade to Mac OS X 10.4.2 or later. This is the primary and most effective remediation step.
Firewall: Implement a firewall to restrict network access to the affected systems, limiting the attack surface.
Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS): Deploy an IDS/IPS to detect and potentially block malicious TCP packets.
Network Segmentation: Segment the network to isolate vulnerable systems from critical resources, limiting the impact of a successful exploit.