CVE-2006-3496 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
AFP Server in Apple Mac OS X 10.3.9 and 10.4.7 allows remote attackers to cause denial of service (crash) via an invalid AFP request that triggers an unchecked error condition.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-3496 represents a critical flaw in the Apple Mac OS X AFP (Apple Filing Protocol) server implementation that affects versions 10.3.9 and 10.4.7. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and error handling mechanisms within the AFP server component that processes network requests from remote clients. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the server receives malformed AFP requests that contain invalid data structures or improper parameter values, leading to a failure in proper error condition checking and subsequent system crash.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and CWE-704, which covers incorrect error handling. The AFP server in affected Mac OS X versions does not adequately validate incoming requests before processing them, creating an unchecked error condition that can be exploited by remote attackers. When an attacker sends a specially crafted invalid AFP request, the server fails to properly handle the unexpected data, resulting in an uncontrolled crash that terminates the AFP service and renders file sharing unavailable to legitimate users.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant denial of service condition that can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring authentication or privileged access. The vulnerability exists at the network protocol level within the AFP server implementation, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered from any network location where the service is accessible. The crash affects the entire AFP service, which typically provides file sharing capabilities to network clients, potentially disrupting business operations and user productivity. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger the denial of service condition from outside the local network, making it a particularly attractive target for malicious actors.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is primarily limited to systems running the affected Mac OS X versions with AFP services enabled and accessible over the network. Network administrators should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure, while also ensuring that AFP services are only accessible to trusted networks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation and error handling in network services, as highlighted by ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. Organizations should prioritize applying the vendor-supplied security patches and updates that address this specific error handling flaw, while also implementing monitoring solutions to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts. System hardening measures including disabling unnecessary network services and implementing proper firewall rules can help reduce the risk of exploitation, particularly in environments where AFP services are not essential for business operations.