CVE-2008-2331 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Finder in Apple Mac OS X 10.5 through 10.5.4 does not properly update permission data in the Get Info window after a lock operation that modifies Sharing & Permissions in a filesystem, which might allow local users to leverage weak permissions that were not intended by an administrator.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2331 represents a critical permission management flaw within Apple Mac OS X versions 10.5 through 10.5.4, specifically affecting the Finder application's handling of file system permissions. This issue stems from the improper synchronization between the Finder's graphical user interface and the underlying file system permission structures when users modify sharing and permissions settings through the Get Info window. The flaw creates a discrepancy where the visual representation of permissions in the Finder's interface does not accurately reflect the actual permission changes that have been applied to the file system objects.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper permissions and access control mechanisms within operating systems. When administrators attempt to secure files or directories by modifying their sharing and permissions settings through the Finder's Get Info interface, the system fails to properly update the permission data displayed in the interface. This creates a scenario where the Finder continues to display the old permission values while the actual file system permissions have been modified, leading to a mismatch between what the user sees and what the system actually enforces. The root cause lies in the asynchronous update mechanism between the Finder's user interface components and the underlying file system permission management subsystem.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for system administrators and end users who rely on proper permission controls for security and data protection. Local attackers can exploit this weakness by leveraging the discrepancy between the displayed and actual permissions, potentially gaining unauthorized access to files or directories that should be restricted. This creates a vector for privilege escalation attacks where users can bypass intended access controls, particularly when dealing with shared network resources or sensitive data stored on file systems that support advanced permission models. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where administrators depend on the Finder's permission interface to enforce proper access controls.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the exploitation of local privilege escalation opportunities. The flaw enables adversaries to manipulate file system permissions through the Finder interface without proper validation of the permission changes, creating a persistent security weakness that can be exploited over time. Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate system updates and patches provided by Apple to address the permission synchronization issue. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring of file system permission changes and consider disabling unnecessary sharing and permissions modifications through the Finder interface. Organizations should conduct comprehensive audits of file system permissions to identify and correct any inconsistencies that may have occurred due to this vulnerability, ensuring that proper access controls remain in place for all system resources.