CVE-2006-1443 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Integer underflow in CoreFoundation in Apple Mac OS X 10.3.9 and 10.4.6 allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors involving conversions from string to file system representation within (1) CFStringGetFileSystemRepresentation or (2) getFileSystemRepresentation:maxLength:withPath in NSFileManager, and possibly other similar API functions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1443 represents a critical integer underflow condition within Apple's CoreFoundation framework that affected Mac OS X versions 10.3.9 and 10.4.6. This flaw resides in the fundamental string handling mechanisms that bridge the gap between string representations and file system operations, creating a potential pathway for malicious code execution. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes string-to-file system conversions through specific CoreFoundation APIs, particularly CFStringGetFileSystemRepresentation and NSFileManager's getFileSystemRepresentation:maxLength:withPath methods. These functions serve as critical intermediaries in the operating system's file handling architecture, making them prime targets for exploitation by attackers seeking to manipulate file system operations through carefully crafted input sequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of integer values during string conversion processes within the CoreFoundation framework. When processing string representations that are subsequently converted to file system paths, the system fails to properly validate that the calculated buffer sizes remain within acceptable integer bounds. This underflow condition can occur when the system calculates the required buffer space for file system representation but fails to account for potential negative integer values that may result from arithmetic operations involving string length calculations. The flaw essentially allows attackers to manipulate the buffer allocation logic, potentially leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-191 Integer Underflow (Wrap or Wraparound) which specifically addresses conditions where integer arithmetic results in values that wrap around to smaller values than expected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution capabilities, as it provides attackers with the ability to manipulate file system operations in ways that could compromise system integrity and data security. When exploited, the integer underflow can lead to buffer overflow conditions that allow attackers to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially enabling privilege escalation or complete system compromise. The context-dependent nature of this vulnerability means that exploitation requires specific conditions to be met, including the ability to control input data that flows through the affected APIs. Attackers typically leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious strings that, when processed through the vulnerable conversion functions, trigger the integer underflow and subsequently lead to memory corruption. This vulnerability specifically aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell, as attackers can leverage the compromised system to execute arbitrary commands through manipulated file system operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-1443 primarily focus on immediate system updates and patches provided by Apple to address the underlying integer underflow conditions in CoreFoundation. System administrators should prioritize applying the official security patches released by Apple that correct the buffer size calculations within the affected API functions. Additionally, implementing input validation controls at application layers can help reduce the attack surface by ensuring that string inputs are properly sanitized before being processed through file system conversion functions. Network-based mitigations can include implementing strict access controls and monitoring for unusual file system operations that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized execution of potentially malicious code that could exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched systems to ensure that the integer underflow conditions have been properly addressed without introducing regressions in legitimate file system operations. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous string processing patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around file system representation conversions that were previously vulnerable to this specific integer underflow condition.