CVE-2007-3184 in Trust Agent
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Trust Agent (CTA) before 2.1.104.0, when running on MacOS X, allows attackers with physical access to bypass authentication and modify System Preferences, including passwords, by invoking the Apple Menu when the Access Control Server (ACS) produces a user notification message after posture validation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-3184 represents a critical security flaw in Cisco Trust Agent software version 2.1.104.0 and earlier, specifically affecting MacOS X systems. This issue stems from a design weakness in the authentication bypass mechanism that occurs when the Access Control Server (ACS) generates user notification messages following posture validation processes. The vulnerability exploits a fundamental flaw in the trust agent's handling of system preferences access, creating an unauthorized modification pathway that undermines the security posture of the affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a specific interaction between the Cisco Trust Agent and the MacOS X operating system's user interface components. When the Access Control Server completes posture validation and generates a notification message, the Cisco Trust Agent fails to properly validate the authentication state of the user attempting to access System Preferences. This creates a window of opportunity where an attacker with physical access can invoke the Apple Menu and modify critical system settings including password configurations. The flaw essentially allows bypassing the normal authentication checks that should prevent unauthorized access to system preferences, particularly when the system is in a transitional state between posture validation and user notification delivery.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to system preferences. Attackers can exploit this weakness to modify password settings, potentially gaining persistent access to user accounts and undermining the integrity of the authentication system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only physical access to the device, making it exploitable in scenarios where an attacker has legitimate access to the system but lacks proper credentials. This creates a significant risk for environments where physical security controls may be insufficient, as the vulnerability can be exploited without requiring network access or sophisticated attack techniques.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1548.001 for abuse of elevation control mechanisms. The flaw demonstrates a critical failure in privilege management and access control validation, where the system fails to properly verify user authentication status before allowing access to sensitive system components. Organizations using Cisco Trust Agent in MacOS X environments face significant risk exposure, particularly in scenarios where physical access controls are inadequate or where users may be targeted through social engineering tactics that lead to device compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of the Cisco Trust Agent update to version 2.1.104.0 or later, which addresses the authentication bypass mechanism. Organizations should also implement additional physical security controls, including device locking mechanisms and user access policies that limit physical access to systems. Network administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected systems and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. The remediation process should include verification that the updated software properly enforces authentication checks during the posture validation notification phase, preventing unauthorized modification of system preferences through the Apple Menu interface.