CVE-2003-0242 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
IPSec in Mac OS X before 10.2.6 does not properly handle certain incoming security policies that match by port, which could allow traffic that is not explicitly allowed by the policies.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-0242 represents a critical flaw in the Internet Protocol Security implementation within Mac OS X versions prior to 10.2.6. This issue specifically affects the IPSec framework's handling of incoming security policies that utilize port-based matching criteria. The flaw stems from improper validation and processing of security policy rules that reference specific port numbers, creating a potential security bypass mechanism within the operating system's network protection infrastructure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability lies in the IPSec policy enforcement mechanism's failure to correctly validate port-based security policies. When the system processes incoming packets that match security policies based on port numbers, the implementation does not properly verify whether the traffic should be explicitly permitted according to the defined policy rules. This creates a scenario where unauthorized traffic can traverse the network security boundaries despite the presence of IPSec policies designed to restrict such access. The flaw operates at the network protocol level, specifically within the IPSec policy decision-making process where port-based matching rules are evaluated against incoming traffic.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to Mac OS X systems running affected versions, particularly in environments where IPSec is deployed for network security protection. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to bypass security policies that are intended to prevent unauthorized access to specific network services or ports. The impact extends beyond simple access control violations as it undermines the fundamental security model of IPSec implementations, potentially allowing malicious actors to establish unauthorized communication channels or access restricted network resources that should be protected by the security policies.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in security policy enforcement mechanisms. It also relates to ATT&CK technique T1046, which involves network service scanning and potentially unauthorized network access. Organizations utilizing Mac OS X systems in security-sensitive environments would be particularly vulnerable to exploitation attempts targeting this weakness, as the flaw could enable attackers to circumvent network segmentation and access control policies that are critical for maintaining secure network perimeters. The issue demonstrates how subtle implementation flaws in cryptographic security frameworks can create significant operational security risks.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate system updates to Mac OS X 10.2.6 or later versions where this vulnerability has been addressed. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring and logging of IPSec policy enforcement decisions to detect potential exploitation attempts. Temporary workarounds might include disabling IPSec functionality until proper patches can be deployed, though this approach reduces overall network security protection. Regular security assessments of network policy configurations should be conducted to ensure proper implementation of access control rules and to identify any potential misconfigurations that could exacerbate the vulnerability's impact.