CVE-2005-1728 in Mac OS X Server
Summary
by MITRE
mcx client for apple mac os x 10.4.x up to 10.4.1 insecurely logs portable home directory credentials which allows local users to obtain the credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1728 affects the mcx client component of Apple Mac OS X version 10.4.x up to 10.4.1, representing a critical security flaw in the operating system's handling of user authentication credentials. This issue specifically impacts the management of portable home directories, which are designed to allow users to maintain consistent access to their personal data across different machines within a network environment. The mcx client serves as the interface between the local system and the network directory services, facilitating the automatic configuration of user settings and access permissions.
The technical flaw stems from the insecure logging practices employed by the mcx client when processing portable home directory credentials. During the authentication process, the system logs sensitive credential information to log files without proper sanitization or encryption measures. This insecure logging behavior creates persistent exposure of authentication tokens and user credentials within the system's logging infrastructure. The flaw exists at the application level where the mcx client fails to properly handle credential data during its processing lifecycle, specifically during the setup and maintenance of portable home directories.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for local users who gain access to the system's log files. An attacker with local system access can easily extract stored credentials from the log files, potentially gaining unauthorized access to network resources and user accounts. This creates a privilege escalation scenario where local users can leverage the exposed credentials to access other systems within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability undermines the fundamental security principle of credential protection, as the system itself becomes a repository for sensitive authentication data that should remain confidential.
The flaw aligns with CWE-532, which addresses information exposure through log files, and represents a classic case of insecure data handling within system components. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to the privilege escalation and credential access tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically under the techniques of "T1078" for valid accounts and "T1003" for credential dumping. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity aspects of the CIA triad, as it exposes sensitive information and potentially allows unauthorized access to network resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of the affected Mac OS X versions to the latest available security updates from Apple. System administrators should implement proper log file access controls and ensure that credential information is not stored in plain text within system logs. The implementation of centralized logging with proper access controls and encryption mechanisms can help prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information. Additionally, network segmentation and privilege separation can limit the potential impact of credential exposure. Regular security audits of log file contents and access permissions should be conducted to identify and remediate similar insecure logging practices across the system infrastructure.