CVE-2003-0171

DirectoryServices - Local Command Execution

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2003-0171. PoCs published by Neeko Oni.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit leverages a PATH environment variable manipulation in macOS DirectoryService to escalate privileges to root. It requires DirectoryService to be crashed prior to execution and involves replacing the PATH to execute a malicious 'touch' binary.

Description

DirectoryServices in MacOS X trusts the PATH environment variable to locate and execute the touch command, which allows local users to execute arbitrary commands by modifying the PATH to point to a directory containing a malicious touch program.

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Neeko Oni · clocalosx
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/15

This exploit leverages a PATH environment variable manipulation in macOS DirectoryService to escalate privileges to root. It requires DirectoryService to be crashed prior to execution and involves replacing the PATH to execute a malicious 'touch' binary.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: macOS DirectoryService <= 10.2.4
No auth needed
Prerequisites: DirectoryService must be crashed or killed prior to execution
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (2)

Core 2
Core References
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_atstake
http://www.atstake.com/research/advisories/2003/a041003-1.txt

Scores

EPSS 0.0091
EPSS Percentile 55.3%

Details

Status published
Products (22)
apple/mac_os_x 10.0
apple/mac_os_x 10.0.1
apple/mac_os_x 10.0.2
apple/mac_os_x 10.0.3
apple/mac_os_x 10.0.4
apple/mac_os_x 10.1
apple/mac_os_x 10.1.1
apple/mac_os_x 10.1.2
apple/mac_os_x 10.1.3
apple/mac_os_x 10.1.4
... and 12 more
Published May 05, 2003
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026