CVE-2006-4392

Mac OS X 10.4-10.4.7 - Local Privilege Escalation via Mach Exception Port Manipulation

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 2 public exploits for CVE-2006-4392. PoCs published by xmath, Kevin Finisterre.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit leverages a Mach exception handling vulnerability in Mac OS X 10.4.6 and older to regain control of a setuid process via an inherited exception handler. It uses RLIMIT_STACK to trigger a segfault after exec(), allowing arbitrary code execution.

Description

The Mach kernel, as used in operating systems including (1) Mac OS X 10.4 through 10.4.7 and (2) OpenStep before 4.2, allows local users to gain privileges via a parent process that forces an exception in a setuid child and uses Mach exception ports to modify the child's thread context and task address space in a way that causes the child to call a parent-controlled function.

Exploits (2)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by xmath · clocalosx
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/2463

This exploit leverages a Mach exception handling vulnerability in Mac OS X 10.4.6 and older to regain control of a setuid process via an inherited exception handler. It uses RLIMIT_STACK to trigger a segfault after exec(), allowing arbitrary code execution.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Mac OS X 10.4.6 and older
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to a vulnerable Mac OS X system · Ability to execute code on the target
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Kevin Finisterre · perllocalosx
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/2464

This exploit leverages a Mach exception handling vulnerability in Mac OS X 10.4.6 and earlier to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. It installs an exception handler, forks a child process, and triggers a segfault via RLIMIT_STACK to regain control of the task port.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Mac OS X 10.4.6 and earlier
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Local access to a vulnerable Mac OS X system
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (12)

Core 12
Core References
Patch vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/20271
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_sectrack
http://securitytracker.com/id?1016954
Patch, Vendor Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/22187
Third Party Advisory vdb-entry x_refsource_vupen
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2006/3852
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/447396/100/0/threaded
US Government Resource third-party-advisory x_refsource_cert-vn
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/838404
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_osvdb
http://www.osvdb.org/29269
US Government Resource third-party-advisory x_refsource_cert
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA06-275A.html
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_sreason
http://securityreason.com/securityalert/1663
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_xf
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/29281

Scores

EPSS 0.0149
EPSS Percentile 70.8%

Details

Status published
Products (9)
apple/mac_os_x 10.4
apple/mac_os_x 10.4.1
apple/mac_os_x 10.4.2
apple/mac_os_x 10.4.3
apple/mac_os_x 10.4.4
apple/mac_os_x 10.4.5
apple/mac_os_x 10.4.6
apple/mac_os_x 10.4.7
next/openstep 4.1
Published Oct 03, 2006
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026