CVE-2003-0601 in Mac OS X Server
Summary
by MITRE
Workgroup Manager in Apple Mac OS X Server 10.2 through 10.2.6 does not disable a password for a new account before it is saved for the first time, which allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access via the new account before it is saved.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-0601 represents a critical security flaw in Apple Mac OS X Server versions 10.2 through 10.2.6, specifically within the Workgroup Manager component. This issue stems from improper account initialization procedures that create a window of opportunity for malicious actors to exploit the system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284, which deals with improper access control, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1133, which covers external remote services. The flaw manifests when a new user account is created but not yet persisted to the system, leaving the account in a transitional state where no password is enforced.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during the account creation process in the Workgroup Manager interface. When administrators or authorized users initiate the creation of a new account, the system temporarily allows access to the account before it is officially saved to the directory service. This transitional period creates a race condition where unauthorized remote attackers can attempt to authenticate using the account before the password protection mechanism is fully activated. The vulnerability essentially provides a temporal gap in security enforcement where the account exists in a state of partial initialization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows unauthorized access to systems that should remain protected during account creation. Attackers exploiting this flaw can potentially gain administrative privileges or access to restricted resources before the account is properly secured. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects organizations using Apple Mac OS X Server 10.2 through 10.2.6, which were widely deployed in enterprise environments for network management and user account administration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of affected systems to the latest available versions of Mac OS X Server. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the Workgroup Manager interface to trusted networks only. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual account creation patterns or authentication attempts during account initialization phases. Additionally, administrators should enforce strict access controls on the Workgroup Manager interface and regularly audit user account creation and modification activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper account lifecycle management and the need for comprehensive security testing of administrative interfaces. This issue underscores the necessity of implementing robust access control mechanisms throughout all phases of user account management, particularly during system transitions and initialization states.