CVE-2007-0730 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Server Manager (servermgrd) in Apple Mac OS X 10.3.9 and 10.4 through 10.4.8 does not sufficiently validate authentication credentials, which allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and modify system configuration.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-0730 affects Apple Mac OS X versions 10.3.9 through 10.4.8, specifically targeting the Server Manager service known as servermgrd. This critical flaw resides in the authentication validation mechanism of the system's server management framework, which is designed to control and configure various network services and system parameters. The vulnerability represents a significant security weakness that undermines the fundamental principle of access control within the operating system's server management infrastructure.
The technical flaw manifests in the insufficient validation of authentication credentials within the servermgrd process, which operates as a privileged daemon responsible for managing server configurations. When remote attackers exploit this vulnerability, they can bypass the normal authentication procedures that should verify user credentials before granting access to system configuration modifications. This weakness allows unauthorized individuals to gain administrative privileges without proper authentication, effectively undermining the operating system's security model. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and credential verification mechanisms that fail to properly authenticate users attempting to access server management functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it enables remote code execution and system compromise through unauthorized configuration changes. Attackers can leverage this flaw to modify critical system parameters, enable or disable network services, alter user permissions, and potentially gain persistent access to affected systems. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote exploitation without requiring local access, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise Mac OS X systems in enterprise environments or networks where server management services are exposed to external networks. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected systems to the latest available security updates from Apple, which would address the authentication validation flaws in servermgrd. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to server management services, particularly when these services are exposed to untrusted networks. The principle of defense in depth suggests implementing additional monitoring and logging of server manager activities to detect unauthorized access attempts. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary server management services when not required, reducing the attack surface. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, while ATT&CK framework would classify this under privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques that leverage authentication bypass vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper credential validation in privileged system processes and demonstrates the critical nature of maintaining up-to-date security patches in enterprise environments.