CVE-2008-0996 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
The Printing component in Apple Mac OS X 10.5.2 might save authentication credentials to disk when starting a job on an authenticated print queue, which might allow local users to obtain the credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0996 resides within Apple Mac OS X 10.5.2's Printing component, representing a critical security flaw in the operating system's handling of print job authentication. This issue manifests when the system processes print jobs on authenticated print queues, creating an unintended persistence mechanism for sensitive authentication information. The flaw essentially allows the system to store authentication credentials in an unsecured manner on the local filesystem, bypassing normal security protocols that should prevent such credential exposure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of authentication tokens within the printing subsystem. When a user initiates a print job on a queue that requires authentication, the system's printing component fails to properly sanitize or encrypt the credential information before storage. This behavior creates a persistent credential cache that remains accessible to local users with filesystem access, effectively undermining the security model designed to protect authentication information. The vulnerability operates at the system level within the kernel extensions and user-space printing daemons that manage print queue interactions, making it particularly dangerous as it affects core operating system functionality.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations relying on Mac OS X systems for printing services. Local users who gain access to the system can easily extract stored credentials and potentially impersonate legitimate users on print queues. This threat vector enables privilege escalation attacks where attackers can leverage stolen print queue credentials to access restricted printing resources, potentially gaining access to sensitive documents or administrative print queue configurations. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft as these credentials might provide access to network resources or enable further attacks through compromised print server configurations.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-259 (Use of Hard-coded Password) categories, reflecting the fundamental security principle that sensitive authentication information should never be stored in cleartext form on local storage devices. This weakness creates a persistent security risk that remains active until the system is patched or the affected component is properly configured. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1555.003 (Credentials from Password Stores) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation), as local users can exploit the stored credentials to gain elevated privileges or access restricted resources within the printing infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0996 require immediate system patching through Apple's security updates, as the vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in credential handling that cannot be effectively addressed through configuration changes alone. Organizations should implement strict access controls on print queue configurations and consider disabling unnecessary print queue authentication when possible. Network administrators should monitor for unauthorized access to print queue resources and establish regular credential rotation procedures for print server configurations. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to patched versions of Mac OS X 10.5.2 or later, which properly address the credential storage mechanisms within the printing subsystem and implement secure handling of authentication tokens throughout the print job lifecycle.