CVE-2006-1444 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
CoreGraphics in Apple Mac OS X 10.4.6, when "Enable access for assistive devices" is on, allows an application to bypass restrictions for secure event input and read certain events from other applications in the same window session by using Quartz Event Services.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2019
This vulnerability exists within the CoreGraphics framework of Apple Mac OS X 10.4.6 operating system where the "Enable access for assistive devices" feature creates an unintended security pathway. The flaw allows malicious applications to circumvent normal input event restrictions that are typically enforced between different applications within the same window session. When this accessibility feature is enabled, it inadvertently provides unauthorized access to secure event input mechanisms through the Quartz Event Services API, which should normally be restricted to prevent cross-application interference and data theft.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the interaction between accessibility services and event handling within the Mac OS X graphical environment. Specifically, when assistive devices are enabled, the system grants broader permissions to applications that can leverage Quartz Event Services to intercept and read input events from other applications running in the same session. This creates a privilege escalation scenario where applications that should be isolated from each other can potentially access sensitive user input data, keystrokes, or other event information that normally should remain protected within their respective application contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential security breaches involving user data confidentiality and integrity. Attackers could utilize this flaw to capture keystrokes from applications running in the same session, potentially accessing passwords, sensitive documents, or other confidential information without user knowledge. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of the operating system's windowing environment, where applications should normally be sandboxed from each other's input events. This represents a significant weakening of the security boundaries that protect user sessions and application isolation, particularly when combined with the accessibility features that are often enabled by users seeking enhanced system usability.
Organizations and users should disable the "Enable access for assistive devices" setting when it is not actively required for accessibility purposes, as this significantly reduces the attack surface for this vulnerability. System administrators should implement monitoring for unauthorized changes to accessibility settings and consider deploying application whitelisting policies to prevent malicious applications from leveraging these permissions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1056.001 for Input Capture through accessibility features. Additionally, this issue demonstrates the importance of proper privilege separation in GUI frameworks and highlights the need for careful consideration of accessibility features that may inadvertently weaken system security boundaries. The flaw underscores the critical nature of maintaining strict input event isolation between applications and emphasizes that security controls must be robust even when additional features like accessibility services are enabled.