CVE-2005-2515 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
quartz composer screen saver in mac os x 10.4.2 allows local users to access links from the rss visualizer even when a password is required.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2515 affects the quartz composer screen saver component within Mac OS X 10.4.2, representing a significant security flaw in the operating system's authentication mechanisms. This issue specifically targets the rss visualizer functionality that is embedded within the screen saver module, creating an unexpected pathway for unauthorized access to network resources. The vulnerability arises from insufficient access controls that fail to properly enforce the system's password protection requirements when the screen saver is active.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the quartz composer screen saver's improper handling of user authentication states during screen saver activation. When a password is required to unlock the system, the rss visualizer component continues to maintain network connectivity and access to external links without requiring proper authentication. This creates a persistent security gap where local users can potentially access network resources, web services, or internal network components that would normally be restricted by the system's password protection mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates poor security design principles in the screen saver's access control implementation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability allows local attackers to exploit the system's authentication bypass to access network resources that should remain protected. The security implications extend beyond simple information disclosure, as the attacker can potentially access sensitive data, internal network services, or web applications that are normally protected by the system's password requirements. This creates a potential vector for further attacks, including information gathering, privilege escalation, or lateral movement within the network environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within a system component that is frequently active and typically runs with elevated privileges.
The flaw aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with privilege escalation vulnerabilities in desktop environments. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability could be categorized under the attack technique of privilege escalation through authentication bypass, as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework. The vulnerability represents a failure in the principle of least privilege, where the screen saver component does not properly respect the system's security policies regarding access control. Organizations should consider implementing immediate mitigations such as disabling the quartz composer screen saver, updating to patched versions of Mac OS X, or implementing additional access controls to limit network connectivity for screen saver components.
The vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive security testing for system components that interface with network resources, particularly those that operate in background processes or user interface elements. It underscores the need for proper authentication state management and access control enforcement across all system components, regardless of their primary function. Security practitioners should recognize that seemingly innocuous components like screen savers can serve as unexpected attack vectors when proper security controls are not implemented. The remediation approach should focus on ensuring that all system components properly respect authentication requirements and that network access is appropriately restricted based on user authentication status.