CVE-2006-4395 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in QuickDraw Manager in Apple Mac OS X 10.3.9 and 10.4 through 10.4.7 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service ("memory corruption" and crash) via a crafted PICT image that is not properly handled by a certain "unsupported QuickDraw operation."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4395 resides within the QuickDraw Manager component of Apple Mac OS X operating systems, specifically affecting versions 10.3.9 and 10.4 through 10.4.7. This represents a critical memory corruption issue that demonstrates the inherent risks associated with graphic rendering subsystems in operating systems. The QuickDraw Manager serves as a fundamental graphics handling framework that processes various image formats, including the PICT format, which is central to Mac OS X's graphic processing capabilities. When malformed PICT images are encountered, the system fails to properly handle certain unsupported QuickDraw operations, leading to unpredictable behavior in the memory management subsystem.
The technical flaw manifests through improper input validation and error handling within the QuickDraw Manager's image processing routines. Attackers can craft malicious PICT files that contain specific sequences or structures that trigger memory corruption during the rendering process. This vulnerability operates as a context-dependent attack vector, meaning the conditions under which it can be exploited require specific circumstances related to how the system processes graphic content. The unsupported QuickDraw operation referenced in the vulnerability description likely involves deprecated or non-standard graphic commands that the system does not properly sanitize or reject, allowing malicious input to bypass normal execution paths and corrupt memory structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially compromise system stability and user experience. When exploited, the vulnerability causes system crashes and memory corruption that can result in complete system hangs or reboots, effectively denying users access to their systems. This type of vulnerability represents a significant concern for enterprise environments where system uptime and reliability are critical factors. The memory corruption aspect of the vulnerability also raises concerns about potential information disclosure or privilege escalation opportunities, although the primary reported impact remains denial of service. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability provides a relatively simple method to disrupt system operations without requiring elevated privileges or complex exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate system updates and patch management protocols, as Apple would have released security updates to address the specific QuickDraw Manager handling issues. Organizations should implement strict file validation processes for graphic content, particularly when dealing with external or untrusted sources. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations, both of which are common in graphic rendering subsystems. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability would map to the T1499.004 technique related to network denial of service, as the attack can be delivered through crafted graphic files that are processed over network connections. System administrators should also consider implementing sandboxing measures for graphic processing applications and establishing monitoring protocols to detect unusual system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts.