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Apple Mac OS X AFP server vulnerable to DoS via maliciously crafted AFP request

Vulnerability Note VU#180692

Original Release Date: 2006-08-04 | Last Revised: 2006-09-18

Overview

A vulnerability in the Apple Mac OS X AFP server may allow an attacker to cause a denial-of-service condition on an affected system.

Description

The AFP (Apple Filing Protocol) service allows Apple Mac OS clients to access files remotely from a server. Apple's Mac OS X AFP server contains an unchecked error condition. When file sharing is enabled, a remote attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted invalid AFP request. This crafted AFP request may cause the service to crash, resulting in a denial-of-service condition. Apple states that any Mac OS X system with AFP server enabled is vulnerable; however, AFP server is not enabled by default on Apple Mac OS X.

Impact

When file sharing is enabled, a maliciously crafted AFP request may cause the AFP server to crash, resulting in a denial-of-service condition.

Solution

Apply an update

Apple has addressed this issue in Security Update 2006-004.

Workaround

Disable file sharing if it is not required. File sharing can be disabled in the "Sharing" settings of system preferences.

Vendor Information

180692
 

Apple Computer, Inc. Affected

Notified:  August 02, 2006 Updated: August 04, 2006

Status

Affected

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

Please see Apple Security Update 2006-004 for details on updates.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.


CVSS Metrics

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References

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Apple Product Security for reporting this vulnerability.

This document was written by Katie Washok.

Other Information

CVE IDs: CVE-2006-3496
Severity Metric: 0.81
Date Public: 2006-08-01
Date First Published: 2006-08-04
Date Last Updated: 2006-09-18 18:01 UTC
Document Revision: 23

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