CVE-2006-1472 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in AFP Server in Apple Mac OS X 10.3.9 allows remote attackers to determing names of unauthorized files and folders via unknown vectors related to the search results.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1472 resides within the Apple Mac OS X 10.3.9 AFP Server implementation, representing a security flaw that enables remote attackers to discover unauthorized file and folder names through search functionality. This issue falls under the broader category of information disclosure vulnerabilities that can significantly compromise system security by providing attackers with unauthorized access to directory structures and file naming conventions. The AFP (Apple Filing Protocol) Server serves as the primary file sharing service for Mac OS X systems, facilitating network access to files and folders across the network infrastructure. When an attacker can determine the names of unauthorized files and folders through search results, they gain valuable intelligence that can be leveraged for further exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's unspecified nature suggests that the exact technical mechanism enabling this information disclosure remains partially obscured, though it clearly relates to how the AFP Server processes and returns search query results to remote clients.
This security weakness represents a classic case of improper access control and information exposure, where the AFP Server fails to properly enforce authorization checks during search operations. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to perform reconnaissance activities that would normally be restricted to authorized users, creating a pathway for more sophisticated attacks. The impact of this flaw extends beyond simple information gathering, as it provides attackers with detailed knowledge of the file system structure, potentially revealing sensitive organizational data, system configurations, or administrative file locations. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which covers "Information Exposure," and more specifically relates to CWE-540, "Information Exposure Through Directory Listing" and CWE-352, "Cross-Site Request Forgery." The attack vectors for this vulnerability are particularly concerning as they can be executed remotely without requiring authentication, making the exploitation process straightforward and accessible to attackers with basic network connectivity.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-1472 significantly weakens the security posture of Mac OS X systems running AFP Server services, particularly in enterprise environments where file sharing and network access controls are critical. Organizations utilizing AFP Server for file sharing may inadvertently expose their internal file structures to unauthorized parties, potentially leading to data breaches or targeted attacks against specific files. The vulnerability's presence in Mac OS X 10.3.9, which was released in 2005, highlights the importance of timely security updates and patch management processes. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1083, "File and Directory Discovery," and T1069, "Permission Groups Discovery," as it enables attackers to enumerate file system structures and understand access controls. The threat landscape for this vulnerability is particularly concerning as it can be exploited by automated scanning tools that systematically query AFP servers for unauthorized access to directory listings, potentially leading to cascading security incidents.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment and network segmentation approaches to limit exposure. Apple's release of security updates for Mac OS X 10.3.9 would have addressed this specific issue by implementing proper access controls during search operations and ensuring that unauthorized users cannot query file and folder names from the AFP Server. Network administrators should also consider implementing firewall rules that restrict AFP server access to trusted networks only, and disable AFP services when not required for business operations. Additionally, monitoring and logging of AFP server activities can help detect unauthorized access attempts and search queries that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include network access controls, regular security assessments, and comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect and respond to similar information disclosure vulnerabilities. Organizations should also conduct regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments to identify potential exposure points within their AFP server configurations and ensure that proper access controls are in place to prevent unauthorized information disclosure.