CVE-2006-0391 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the BOM framework in Mac OS X 10.x before 10.3.9 and 10.4 before 10.4.5 allows user-assisted attackers to overwrite or create arbitrary files via an archive that is handled by BOMArchiveHelper.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-0391 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the BOM (Bill of Materials) framework of Apple's Mac OS X operating system. This weakness exists in versions prior to 10.3.9 and 10.4.5, specifically affecting the BOMArchiveHelper component responsible for handling archive files. The issue arises from inadequate input validation when processing archive contents, allowing maliciously crafted archives to manipulate file paths during extraction operations. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through user-assisted means, typically by convincing victims to open specially crafted archive files that contain malicious path manipulation sequences.
The technical implementation of this directory traversal vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of file paths within the BOM framework. When BOMArchiveHelper processes archive files, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the paths contained within the archive metadata, enabling attackers to specify arbitrary file paths that can bypass normal extraction boundaries. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability allows attackers to write files to locations outside the intended extraction directory, potentially overwriting critical system files or creating malicious files in sensitive locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file manipulation, as it provides attackers with potential persistence mechanisms and privilege escalation opportunities within the Mac OS X environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could overwrite system configuration files, inject malicious code into critical components, or create backdoor files that maintain access to the compromised system. The user-assisted nature of the attack means that social engineering plays a significant role in exploitation, as victims must be convinced to open the malicious archive. This attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through archive files and T1074.001 for data manipulation through file system access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates to versions 10.3.9 and 10.4.5 or later, where Apple has implemented proper input validation and path sanitization within the BOM framework. Organizations should also implement strict file handling policies that prevent users from opening untrusted archive files, particularly those from unknown sources or received through email attachments. Network administrators should consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for archive processing and regular security audits to identify potentially compromised systems. Additionally, system monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file creation patterns or modifications to critical system directories that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation and the potential consequences of inadequate path handling in archive processing components, particularly in operating system frameworks that handle user-supplied content.