CVE-2014-4426 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
AFP File Server in Apple OS X before 10.10 allows remote attackers to discover the network addresses of all interfaces via an unspecified command to one interface.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4426 resides within the Apple AFP File Server implementation in macOS versions prior to 10.10, representing a significant information disclosure flaw that undermines network security posture. This vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, specifically targeting the Apple Filing Protocol which serves as the primary file sharing protocol for macOS environments. The flaw manifests when the AFP server processes certain commands sent to one network interface, inadvertently revealing network addresses associated with all active interfaces on the system. This behavior constitutes a direct violation of network isolation principles and exposes the underlying network topology to remote adversaries.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and insufficient access controls within the AFP server implementation. When an attacker sends a specially crafted command to any network interface, the server responds with network address information from all interfaces rather than restricting the response to the specific interface that received the command. This flaw can be categorized under CWE-200, Information Exposure, and more specifically aligns with CWE-354, Improper Check for Dangling Pointer, or CWE-353, Missing Support for Integrity Check, depending on the exact implementation details. The vulnerability operates through the AFP protocol's command processing mechanism where the server fails to properly authenticate or validate the scope of information being returned in response to network queries.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4426 extends beyond simple information disclosure, creating a foundation for more sophisticated attacks within compromised networks. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to map network topologies, identify internal IP ranges, and potentially discover network segmentation boundaries that would normally remain hidden. This reconnaissance capability significantly reduces the attack surface by providing adversaries with detailed knowledge of the target environment's network structure, including which interfaces are active and what addresses they utilize. The vulnerability affects enterprise environments particularly severely, as it can expose internal network infrastructure to external attackers who may then use this information to plan more targeted attacks or identify potential network segmentation weaknesses.
Network security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046, Network Service Scanning, and T1082, System Information Discovery, as it enables adversaries to gather critical system and network information without requiring local access or elevated privileges. The vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the AFP server's security model, as it violates fundamental principles of network isolation and access control. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the macOS 10.10 update or later versions that contain the patched AFP server implementation, disabling AFP services if not required, or implementing network segmentation controls that limit access to AFP servers. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual AFP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities in other network services and protocols.