CVE-2006-3499 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
The dynamic linker (dyld) in Apple Mac OS X 10.3.9 allows local users to obtain sensitive information via unspecified dynamic linker options that affect the use of standard error (stderr) by privileged applications.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3499 resides within the dynamic linker component known as dyld in Apple Mac OS X version 10.3.9, representing a significant security weakness that could potentially allow local attackers to extract sensitive information from privileged applications. This flaw specifically relates to how the dynamic linker handles standard error output streams during the execution of system processes, creating an information disclosure vector that could be exploited by malicious users with local access to the system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of stderr streams within the dyld implementation, where the dynamic linker fails to adequately sanitize or isolate error output that might contain sensitive system information. When privileged applications execute through the affected dyld process, the unspecified dynamic linker options cause sensitive data to be inadvertently exposed through the standard error channel, potentially revealing system paths, memory addresses, or other confidential information that should remain protected. This issue falls under the broader category of information disclosure vulnerabilities and can be classified as a CWE-200 - Information Exposure, which is a fundamental weakness in software design that leads to unintended data leakage.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. Local users who can execute code on the affected system can potentially gather system configuration details, application paths, and other metadata that would normally remain hidden from unauthorized access. The privilege escalation potential arises from the fact that many privileged applications are susceptible to this information leak, making it easier for attackers to understand system internals and plan subsequent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, as it enables adversaries to gather system information that could be used for further compromise.
The security implications of CVE-2006-3499 highlight the critical importance of proper input validation and output sanitization within system-level components like dynamic linkers. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor issues in core system utilities can create significant security risks when they affect privileged processes that handle sensitive operations. System administrators and security professionals should recognize that this vulnerability represents a baseline risk that could be combined with other exploits to achieve more severe outcomes. The vulnerability also underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of system libraries and core components that are executed with elevated privileges, as these elements form the foundation of system security.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected Mac OS X systems to the latest available security updates from Apple, which would address the underlying dyld implementation issues. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring for unusual stderr output patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and consider restricting local user access to privileged applications where possible. The remediation process should also include regular security assessments of system components and careful review of dynamic linker configurations to ensure that error output is properly managed and does not expose sensitive information. Organizations should maintain updated vulnerability management processes that can quickly identify and address similar issues in other system components that might present similar information disclosure risks.