CVE-2006-1984 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the _cg_TIFFSetField function in Mac OS X 10.4.6 and earlier, as used in applications that use ImageIO or AppKit, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted TIFF image that triggers a null dereference.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1984 represents a critical flaw in the Mac OS X operating system's image processing capabilities, specifically within the TIFF file handling mechanisms. This issue affects Mac OS X versions 10.4.6 and earlier, where the _cg_TIFFSetField function fails to properly validate input data when processing TIFF image files. The flaw manifests as a null dereference condition that occurs when applications utilizing the ImageIO or AppKit frameworks attempt to process maliciously crafted TIFF images. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking and input validation within the core image processing library, creating a pathway for attackers to exploit the system through carefully constructed image files.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious TIFF file triggers a null pointer dereference within the _cg_TIFFSetField function during the image field processing phase. This function, which is part of the Core Graphics framework, is responsible for setting various fields within TIFF image structures. When processing malformed TIFF data, the function attempts to access memory locations that have not been properly initialized or allocated, resulting in an application crash. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered remotely through web browsing or file attachment scenarios, allowing attackers to perform denial of service attacks against unsuspecting users. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-476 which specifically addresses null pointer dereference conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation in system libraries.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-1984 extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially disrupt user productivity and create security concerns within enterprise environments. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability allows remote attackers to cause arbitrary applications to terminate unexpectedly, effectively creating a denial of service condition that can be used to disrupt normal system operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects core system frameworks that are utilized by numerous applications, meaning that a single malicious TIFF file could potentially crash multiple applications simultaneously. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through various vectors including web-based attacks, email attachments, or file sharing scenarios where users might unknowingly open malicious TIFF files. The impact aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499 which covers denial of service attacks, and demonstrates how seemingly benign file format processing can become a significant security risk.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates and patch management procedures to address the underlying flaw in the Core Graphics framework. Users should upgrade to Mac OS X 10.4.7 or later versions where Apple has implemented proper null pointer checks and input validation within the _cg_TIFFSetField function. Organizations should implement network-based filtering to prevent the transmission of TIFF files from untrusted sources and consider deploying application whitelisting solutions that restrict the execution of potentially vulnerable applications. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual application crash patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation in system libraries and demonstrates how fundamental flaws in core operating system components can create widespread security implications across the entire application ecosystem. System administrators should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques for image processing applications to limit the potential impact of future exploits and ensure that any exploitation attempts remain isolated to prevent broader system compromise.