CVE-2006-6129 in Mac OS X Server
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the fatfile_getarch2 in Apple Mac OS X allows local users to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted Mach-O Universal program that triggers memory corruption.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6129 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the fatfile_getarch2 function of Apple Mac OS X operating systems. This issue resides in the handling of Mach-O Universal binary formats which are designed to contain multiple architectures within a single file. The vulnerability specifically manifests when processing malformed universal binaries that exploit the integer overflow condition during memory allocation calculations. The flaw occurs in the context of file processing where the system attempts to determine the architecture of a Mach-O binary, making this a fundamental component of the operating system's binary handling infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and arithmetic overflow protection within the fatfile_getarch2 function. When a crafted Mach-O Universal program is processed, the system performs calculations to determine memory requirements for storing architecture information, but fails to properly validate the input values. This integer overflow condition leads to incorrect memory allocation sizes, which can result in memory corruption and subsequent system instability. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through normal file processing operations, making it accessible to local users without requiring special privileges or network access.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for Mac OS X systems as it can be exploited to cause either denial of service or arbitrary code execution. The denial of service aspect occurs when the corrupted memory allocation causes system crashes or application failures, while the arbitrary code execution possibility arises from the memory corruption that could potentially be leveraged by malicious actors to inject and run unauthorized code within the system's execution context. This vulnerability directly affects the system's integrity and availability, potentially compromising the security posture of affected systems and making them vulnerable to further exploitation.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter execution. Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and bounds checking within the affected function, ensuring that all integer calculations are properly bounded and validated before memory allocation occurs. System administrators should apply the latest security patches from Apple as soon as they become available, while also implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual file processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application sandboxing and privilege separation measures to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.