CVE-2005-1474 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Dashboard in Apple Mac OS X 10.4.1 allows remote attackers to install widgets via Safari without prompting the user, a different vulnerability than CVE-2005-1933.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1474 represents a significant security flaw in Apple Mac OS X 10.4.1's Dashboard component that enabled remote attackers to install malicious widgets through Safari without user consent or notification. This issue specifically targeted the user interface element that allows widgets to be added to the desktop, creating a pathway for unauthorized software installation that bypassed normal security prompts and user verification mechanisms. The flaw existed within the Dashboard framework's handling of widget installation requests from web browsers, particularly when processing widget metadata and installation scripts through Safari's rendering engine.
This vulnerability operates through a specific technical mechanism where the Dashboard component fails to properly validate widget installation requests originating from remote web sources. When Safari encounters a widget installation request, the Dashboard component should typically present a user prompt confirming the installation and displaying widget metadata for user review. However, the flaw allowed attackers to craft specially formatted widget manifests or installation scripts that could bypass these security checks, enabling automatic installation of widgets without user interaction. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and trust verification within the widget installation pipeline, creating an attack surface where malicious actors could exploit the system's trust model for web-based widgets.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-1474 extends beyond simple unauthorized widget installation, as it represents a fundamental breach in the user consent model that Apple had implemented to protect users from potentially malicious software. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to deploy malware disguised as legitimate widgets, potentially installing backdoors, keyloggers, or other malicious components that would execute with the privileges of the logged-in user. The automatic installation capability meant that users would not receive any warning or notification about the software being installed, making it particularly dangerous as it could go undetected for extended periods. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and user awareness that forms the foundation of secure operating system design, as it undermines the user's ability to make informed decisions about software installation.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-345 Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity, as the system failed to properly authenticate or verify the source and integrity of widget installation requests. The flaw also relates to ATT&CK technique T1196 for the use of malicious widgets and T1059 for potential script execution through compromised widget installation mechanisms. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of Mac OS X 10.4.2 or later, disabling Dashboard functionality if not required for business operations, and implementing network-level controls to restrict access to potentially malicious widget sources. Additionally, user education about widget installation practices and regular system monitoring for unauthorized software installations should be implemented as part of comprehensive security posture management. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining robust input validation and trust verification mechanisms in user-facing components that handle third-party software installation processes.