CVE-2006-1985 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in BOM BOMArchiveHelper 10.4 (6.3) Build 312, as used in Mac OS X 10.4.6 and earlier, allows user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted archive (such as ZIP) that contains long path names, which triggers an error in the BOMStackPop function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-1985 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting the BOMArchiveHelper component within Apple's Mac OS X operating system. This flaw exists in version 10.4.6 and earlier releases, specifically within the BOMArchiveHelper 10.4 (6.3) Build 312 implementation. The vulnerability manifests when processing malformed archive files, particularly those containing excessively long path names that trigger an error condition within the BOMStackPop function. This represents a classic buffer overflow scenario where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to write beyond allocated memory boundaries, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through user-assisted attack vectors where an attacker crafts a specially designed archive file containing overly long path names that exceed the allocated buffer space within the BOMStackPop function. When the system attempts to process this malformed archive, the function fails to properly validate input lengths, causing a heap overflow condition. The heap-based nature of this vulnerability means that memory corruption occurs in the heap segment rather than the stack, making exploitation more complex but potentially more reliable in certain execution contexts. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in heap memory regions. The attack requires a user to interact with the malicious archive, making it a user-assisted remote code execution vulnerability that can be delivered through various means including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious file sharing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it affects the core archive handling functionality of Mac OS X systems. When successfully exploited, the buffer overflow can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the affected user. The vulnerability affects systems running Mac OS X 10.4.6 and earlier versions, representing a significant security gap that could be exploited in targeted attacks against corporate networks or individual users. The BOMArchiveHelper component is integral to Mac OS X's package management and archive handling, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through normal file operations. The error condition in BOMStackPop specifically indicates that the system's stack management within the BOM processing code fails to properly handle edge cases, creating a predictable exploitation pattern that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates to address the underlying buffer overflow in the BOMArchiveHelper component. Apple released patches for Mac OS X 10.4.7 and later versions that resolve this issue through improved bounds checking and memory management within the BOMStackPop function. Organizations should prioritize deployment of these security updates across all affected systems, particularly those handling untrusted archive files from external sources. Additional protective measures include implementing strict file validation policies for archive handling, disabling automatic archive extraction in untrusted environments, and monitoring for suspicious file access patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in system components and highlights the need for robust memory safety practices in operating system development. Security administrators should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability, as the attack pattern is relatively predictable once the underlying buffer overflow mechanism is understood.