CVE-2006-1983 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple heap-based buffer overflows in Mac OS X 10.4.6 and earlier allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via the (1) PredictorVSetField function for TIFF or (2) CFAllocatorAllocate function for GIF, as used in applications that use ImageIO or AppKit. NOTE: the BMP vector has been re-assigned to CVE-2006-2238 because it affects a separate product family.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-1983 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow issue affecting Mac OS X versions 10.4.6 and earlier systems. This vulnerability manifests through two distinct attack vectors that exploit memory corruption flaws in the system's image processing libraries. The first vector targets the PredictorVSetField function within the TIFF processing code, while the second exploits the CFAllocatorAllocate function in GIF handling code. Both attack paths leverage the ImageIO and AppKit frameworks that are fundamental components of macOS application development and image processing capabilities.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate bounds checking in memory allocation routines where applications process image files using the affected system libraries. When processing specially crafted TIFF or GIF files, the vulnerable functions fail to properly validate input data lengths against allocated buffer sizes, creating opportunities for heap memory corruption. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-122, which specifically addresses heap-based buffer overflows, and represents a classic example of improper input validation leading to memory corruption. The heap-based nature of the overflow means that attackers can manipulate heap metadata and potentially overwrite critical program structures or function pointers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enabling remote code execution. Attackers who successfully exploit these buffer overflows can cause applications to crash or, more critically, inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of the vulnerable application. This risk is particularly concerning given that many applications on macOS systems rely on ImageIO and AppKit for image handling, including web browsers, image editors, and document processing applications. The vulnerability creates a significant attack surface since any application that processes external image files could be exploited, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise macOS systems.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several tactics outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to code injection and privilege escalation. The attack chain typically begins with delivery of malicious image files through various vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites. Once executed, the buffer overflow allows attackers to manipulate program execution flow and potentially gain elevated privileges on the affected system. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation, application whitelisting, and regular patch management as primary defensive measures. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date system software and demonstrates how seemingly benign image processing functionality can become a critical security risk when proper memory safety controls are absent.