CVE-2008-3611 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Login Window in Apple Mac OS X 10.4.11 does not clear the current password when a user makes a password-change attempt that is denied by policy, which allows opportunistic, physically proximate attackers to bypass authentication and change this user s password by later entering an acceptable new password on the same login screen.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2025
This vulnerability resides in the authentication mechanism of Apple Mac OS X 10.4.11 operating system where the login window fails to properly clear the password field when a password change attempt is rejected due to policy enforcement. The flaw represents a classic case of improper state management during authentication flows, where the system maintains sensitive credential information in memory even after unsuccessful authentication attempts. This behavior creates a window of opportunity for attackers who can exploit the persistent password field to bypass authentication mechanisms.
The technical implementation issue stems from the login window's failure to reset the password input field upon policy denial, allowing attackers to observe and potentially manipulate the authentication state. When a user attempts to change their password and the system rejects the attempt based on policy restrictions such as password complexity requirements or reuse policies, the original password remains in the input field. This creates a scenario where an attacker with physical access can later input a valid password that meets policy requirements, effectively gaining unauthorized access to the account.
From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability significantly weakens the authentication security model by enabling what is known as a credential replay attack. The vulnerability operates under the premise of physical proximity and opportunistic exploitation, aligning with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under credential access techniques. The flaw essentially allows attackers to circumvent password policy enforcement mechanisms through simple observation and timing attacks, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical access is possible.
The security implications extend beyond simple authentication bypass to encompass broader access control violations. This vulnerability essentially undermines the principle of least privilege by allowing unauthorized users to gain access to accounts that would normally require valid authentication. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal technical skill and can be executed by anyone with physical proximity to the target system. This makes the vulnerability especially dangerous in public or shared computing environments where unauthorized physical access is a potential threat.
According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-254, which describes weaknesses in authentication mechanisms where the system fails to properly handle authentication state transitions. The root cause lies in the improper handling of authentication session state, where the system does not correctly reset sensitive fields upon authentication failure. This weakness creates an information exposure vulnerability that allows attackers to obtain credentials without proper authentication, potentially leading to privilege escalation or unauthorized access to sensitive system resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper authentication state management and ensuring that password fields are cleared upon authentication failure. System administrators should immediately apply the relevant security patches provided by Apple to address this specific issue. Additionally, organizations should implement additional security controls such as automatic screen locking after failed authentication attempts, enhanced session management, and monitoring for unusual authentication patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and state management in authentication systems, which aligns with security best practices outlined in various industry standards including NIST SP 800-63 and ISO/IEC 27001. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms to provide additional layers of security that can protect against credential-based attacks even when such flaws exist in the authentication system.