CVE-2006-3503 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in ImageIO in Apple Mac OS X 10.4.7 allows user-assisted attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a malformed GIF image.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3503 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within Apple Mac OS X 10.4.7's ImageIO framework that processes GIF image files. This issue resides in the handling of malformed GIF image data where the system fails to properly validate integer values during image parsing operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking when processing GIF image dimensions and other numerical parameters that are stored in the image file's header structures. When an attacker crafts a specially malformed GIF image with oversized or negative integer values, the ImageIO component attempts to allocate memory or perform calculations using these invalid values, leading to unpredictable behavior.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a user opens or previews a maliciously crafted GIF image file within any application that leverages the ImageIO framework, such as the built-in Preview application or web browsers that utilize Mac OS X's native image processing capabilities. The integer overflow condition manifests as memory corruption that can result in stack smashing or heap corruption, ultimately causing application crashes or system instability. In certain circumstances, the overflow may be exploitable to execute arbitrary code, though the attack vector requires user interaction to trigger the vulnerable code path. The vulnerability affects the core image processing libraries that are fundamental to Mac OS X's multimedia handling capabilities, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through multiple application entry points.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to enterprise environments where Mac OS X systems are prevalent, as it allows attackers to remotely cause system disruptions through malicious image files delivered via email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms. The denial of service aspect can be particularly damaging in environments where users rely heavily on image viewing applications for their daily operations. The potential for arbitrary code execution, while requiring user interaction, represents a serious threat to system integrity and data security. Organizations running Mac OS X 10.4.7 systems are particularly vulnerable as this version predates many security hardening measures that would have been implemented in later releases.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and the broader ATT&CK framework's defense evasion and execution tactics. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign file format processing can become a vector for system compromise, highlighting the importance of robust input validation and memory safety practices in multimedia libraries. Mitigation strategies include immediate deployment of Apple's security patches, implementing sandboxing measures for image processing applications, and educating users about the risks of opening untrusted image files. Network-level protections such as email filtering and web proxy scanning can help prevent initial delivery of malicious GIF files, while application whitelisting can restrict which applications can process potentially malicious image data.
This vulnerability represents a classic example of how integer overflows in image processing libraries can create both availability and confidentiality risks. The flaw's exploitation requires user interaction but can result in complete system compromise, making it a critical concern for security administrators. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service to include potential privilege escalation and persistent backdoor installation. Organizations should prioritize patch management and implement comprehensive monitoring for unusual system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the need for continuous security testing of multimedia libraries and the importance of following secure coding practices that prevent integer overflows in system-critical components.