CVE-2006-3495 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
AFP Server in Apple Mac OS X 10.3.9 and 10.4.7 stores reconnect keys in a world-readable file, which allows local users to obtain the keys and access files and folders of other users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-3495 represents a critical access control flaw within Apple Mac OS X versions 10.3.9 and 10.4.7. This issue specifically affects the Apple Filing Protocol (AFP) server implementation that enables file sharing services on macOS systems. The flaw stems from improper privilege management during the storage of authentication credentials, creating a significant security weakness that undermines the integrity of user access controls. The AFP server is designed to facilitate network file sharing between macOS systems and other devices, making it a critical component for enterprise and personal file access scenarios.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the AFP server storing reconnect keys in a file that has world-readable permissions. These reconnect keys serve as authentication tokens that allow users to resume file sharing sessions without re-entering credentials. When system administrators or security researchers examine the affected systems, they discover that these sensitive authentication tokens are stored in files with permissions that permit read access by any user on the system. This design flaw violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper credential handling, as the system fails to implement appropriate access controls for sensitive authentication data. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-732, which addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and more specifically aligns with CWE-276, which covers incorrect permissions for critical resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to create substantial access risks for compromised systems. Local users who can read the world-readable reconnect key files gain the ability to impersonate other users on the network file sharing service. This provides attackers with unauthorized access to files and folders belonging to other system users, potentially enabling data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and lateral movement within networked environments. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of user data, as attackers can access sensitive documents, personal files, and potentially business-critical information without proper authorization. This issue particularly impacts enterprise environments where multiple users share network resources and rely on proper access controls for data protection.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper file permission controls and system hardening measures. System administrators should ensure that any files containing authentication tokens or reconnect keys are stored with restrictive permissions that limit access to only authorized processes and users. The recommended approach involves changing file permissions to prevent world-read access and implementing proper discretionary access controls. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive system files and establish regular security audits to identify similar permission misconfigurations. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078, which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through unauthorized access to system resources. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access control lists to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities within their infrastructure.