CVE-2006-4887 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Apple Remote Desktop (ARD) for Mac OS X 10.2.8 and later does not drop privileges on the remote machine while installing certain applications, which allows local users to bypass authentication and gain privileges by selecting the icon during installation. NOTE: it could be argued that the issue is not in Remote Desktop itself, but in applications that are installed while using it.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-4887 represents a significant privilege escalation flaw within Apple Remote Desktop functionality on Mac OS X systems. This issue stems from the improper privilege handling mechanism during application installation processes, specifically when utilizing Remote Desktop services. The vulnerability manifests when local users exploit a design oversight in how ARD manages authentication and privilege contexts during installation procedures, allowing unauthorized access to elevated system permissions.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the failure of Apple Remote Desktop to properly drop administrative privileges on remote machines during application installation processes. When users initiate installations through ARD, the system maintains elevated privileges that should be relinquished after the installation is complete. This improper privilege management creates a window of opportunity for local attackers to manipulate the installation interface and gain unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability specifically affects Mac OS X versions 10.2.8 and later, indicating a long-standing issue within the operating system's privilege handling mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data. Local users who can interact with the installation interface during remote desktop sessions can exploit this flaw to bypass standard authentication mechanisms and execute privileged operations without proper authorization. This creates a serious security risk for organizations relying on Apple Remote Desktop for system administration, as it undermines the fundamental security assumptions of remote management protocols. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to elevate their privileges from standard user level to administrator level without proper authentication, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management and inadequate privilege dropping mechanisms in software systems. The issue also relates to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the exploitation of elevated privileges to gain system access. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it leverages legitimate remote desktop functionality to enable privilege escalation, making detection more challenging. Organizations using Apple Remote Desktop should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader security assessment, particularly focusing on the privilege management aspects of their remote administration tools. The nature of the vulnerability suggests that applications installed through ARD may not properly implement security controls, creating a cascading effect that affects the entire installation process rather than being isolated to the Remote Desktop component itself.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper privilege separation during installation processes and ensuring that remote desktop sessions properly drop elevated privileges after installation completion. Organizations should consider updating to newer versions of Mac OS X where these privilege management issues have been addressed, or implementing additional security controls such as mandatory access controls and privilege monitoring. The vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive security testing of remote administration tools and their interaction with application installation processes, particularly in enterprise environments where such tools are commonly deployed.