CVE-2006-0382 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Apple Mac OS X 10.4.5 and allows local users to cause a denial of service (crash) via an undocumented system call.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0382 represents a significant security flaw in Apple Mac OS X version 10.4.5 that enables local attackers to execute a denial of service attack through the exploitation of an undocumented system call. This issue stems from the operating system's insufficient validation mechanisms for system call inputs, creating a pathway for malicious code execution that can destabilize the entire system. The vulnerability specifically targets the kernel-level processing of system calls, which forms the core foundation of operating system functionality and security enforcement. When a local user crafts and executes a specially designed undocumented system call, the system fails to properly handle the malformed input, leading to an abrupt system crash or reboot that effectively denies service to legitimate users and applications.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-122, which describes buffer overflow conditions that occur when a program writes data beyond the boundaries of a fixed-length buffer. In this case, the undocumented system call lacks proper input sanitization and boundary checking mechanisms within the kernel's system call handling routines. The flaw operates at the kernel level where system calls are processed, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by any local user with access to the system. The absence of proper validation for the undocumented system call parameters allows attackers to manipulate memory structures and trigger unexpected behavior in the kernel's execution flow. This vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input validation and improper error handling within privileged system components, which are fundamental security principles outlined in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations relying on Mac OS X 10.4.5 systems as it allows any local user to potentially disrupt system availability and service continuity. The denial of service condition can result in unexpected system crashes, forcing administrators to restart services or reboot entire systems, leading to productivity losses and potential data integrity concerns. The local nature of the attack means that attackers do not require network access or elevated privileges to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly concerning for environments where multiple users share systems or where user access controls are not properly enforced. Additionally, the crash conditions can potentially lead to data loss if applications are terminated abruptly without proper cleanup procedures, and the system instability can compromise the integrity of ongoing processes and user sessions.
The exploitation of this vulnerability can be mapped to several ATT&CK techniques including T1499.004 for network denial of service and T1566.002 for credential access through local system compromise. Organizations should implement comprehensive system hardening measures including kernel patching, regular security updates, and monitoring for unusual system call patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The recommended mitigations include immediate deployment of Apple's security patches for Mac OS X 10.4.5, implementation of access control measures to limit local user privileges, and regular system auditing to detect potential exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can monitor for abnormal system call behavior and establish robust backup and recovery procedures to minimize the impact of potential system crashes. Network segmentation and privilege separation can further reduce the attack surface and limit the potential damage that could result from successful exploitation of this vulnerability.