CVE-2005-1505 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
The new account wizard in Mail.app 2.0 in Mac OS 10.4, when configuring an IMAP mail account and checking the credentials, does not prompt the user to use SSL until after the password has already been sent, which causes the password to be sent in plaintext.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1505 represents a critical security flaw in the Mail.app 2.0 application bundled with Mac OS 10.4, specifically within its account configuration wizard. This issue manifests during the IMAP mail account setup process where the application fails to enforce secure communication protocols at the appropriate stage of credential entry. The flaw demonstrates poor security design principles and violates fundamental security practices by exposing user authentication credentials during an insecure transmission phase. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and affects the authentication process, making it particularly dangerous as it compromises the confidentiality of user credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper ordering of security checks within the Mail.app's account configuration interface. When users attempt to set up an IMAP account, the wizard first accepts the username and password without requiring SSL encryption, and only after credential submission does it prompt the user to enable SSL. This sequence creates a window of opportunity where the password is transmitted in plaintext over the network before the secure connection is established. The flaw directly relates to CWE-312, which describes the exposure of sensitive information through improper handling of credentials, and CWE-319, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext transmission. This vulnerability essentially creates a man-in-the-middle attack vector where network traffic can be intercepted and analyzed by malicious actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it represents a fundamental failure in secure credential handling practices that can lead to unauthorized access to user email accounts. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by intercepting network traffic between the client and mail server, particularly in unsecured network environments such as public Wi-Fi hotspots or corporate networks without proper encryption monitoring. The vulnerability affects all users of Mac OS 10.4 who configure IMAP accounts through Mail.app 2.0, making it a widespread issue that could compromise numerous email accounts. This flaw also demonstrates a failure in the principle of least privilege and secure by design, as the application should have enforced SSL encryption before accepting any authentication credentials, rather than allowing plaintext transmission.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate remediation through system updates and user education regarding secure email configuration practices. Apple should have addressed this issue through a security patch that enforces SSL encryption prior to credential submission or implements a more secure authentication flow. Users should be advised to avoid configuring IMAP accounts over untrusted networks and to ensure that SSL encryption is enabled for all email accounts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol: email protocols, and specifically addresses the weakness in credential handling during network communication. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect and prevent cleartext credential transmission, while also ensuring that all email clients enforce secure communication protocols by default. The vulnerability serves as a critical example of why secure configuration management and proper security architecture design are essential components of any robust cybersecurity framework.