CVE-2007-0738 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
The Login Window in Apple Mac OS X 10.4 through 10.4.9 does not display the screen saver authentication dialog in certain circumstances when waking from sleep, even though the "require a password to wake the computer from sleep" option is enabled, which allows local users to bypass authentication controls.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-0738 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within Apple Mac OS X versions 10.4 through 10.4.9, specifically affecting the Login Window component responsible for system security controls. This issue manifests when the operating system wakes from sleep mode, creating a window of opportunity for unauthorized access that directly contradicts the intended security posture of the system. The flaw operates at the intersection of power management and authentication mechanisms, where the system fails to enforce the configured security policy despite the explicit user configuration requiring password authentication upon system wake. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and authentication integrity that forms the foundation of secure operating system design.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper state management within the Login Window subsystem during system wake operations. When Mac OS X transitions from sleep to active state, the system should consistently enforce the screen saver authentication dialog as configured by the user. However, under specific circumstances related to power state transitions, the authentication dialog fails to appear even when the "require a password to wake the computer from sleep" setting is enabled. This failure occurs because the system's authentication subsystem does not properly validate the security context during the wake sequence, allowing local users to access the system without providing the required authentication credentials. The vulnerability is classified as a weakness in authentication mechanisms and falls under CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication scenarios in software systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential data compromise and system integrity violations. Local users who exploit this flaw can gain immediate access to the system without authentication, potentially accessing sensitive user data, system configurations, or executing privileged operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates silently without alerting system administrators or users to the bypassed security controls. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform unauthorized system modifications, data exfiltration, or establish persistent access points within the compromised environment. This flaw directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of system resources, representing a significant security regression in the operating system's defense mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates to the latest available versions of Mac OS X 10.4.x that address the specific authentication bypass issue. System administrators should ensure that all affected systems receive the appropriate security patches from Apple, as the vulnerability affects multiple versions within the 10.4 release series. Additionally, organizations should implement monitoring controls to detect unauthorized access attempts and review system logs for potential exploitation indicators. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive testing for power management and authentication integration, particularly in operating systems where multiple security components must coordinate during system state transitions. Security professionals should also consider implementing additional access controls such as file-level encryption, network-based authentication systems, and regular security audits to compensate for the temporary vulnerability. This issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials usage, as the flaw enables unauthorized access through legitimate system interfaces without proper authentication. The vulnerability underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security configurations and the critical importance of validating security controls across all system operational states including power management transitions.