CVE-2008-3617 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Remote Management and Screen Sharing in Apple Mac OS X 10.5 through 10.5.4, when used to set a password for a VNC viewer, displays additional input characters beyond the maximum password length, which might make it easier for attackers to guess passwords that the user believed were longer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-3617 affects Apple Mac OS X versions 10.5 through 10.5.4 and specifically relates to the remote management and screen sharing functionality that utilizes VNC (Virtual Network Computing) protocols. This issue manifests when users configure password protection for VNC connections, creating a security weakness that directly impacts authentication mechanisms. The flaw resides in how the system handles password input validation and display, particularly concerning character limit enforcement during password entry processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of password length validation within the VNC server component of Mac OS X. When users enter passwords longer than the maximum allowed length, the system displays additional input characters beyond the configured limit, effectively revealing information about the actual password length. This behavior creates a side-channel attack vector where an attacker can infer password complexity based on the number of characters displayed, making password guessing attacks significantly more effective. The vulnerability operates under CWE-209, which describes "Information Exposure Through an Error Message," as it exposes information about password length through the user interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple password guessing, as it fundamentally weakens the security posture of remote management systems in Mac environments. Attackers can leverage this information to reduce the search space for password cracking attempts, making brute force and dictionary attacks more successful. This weakness is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Mac systems are frequently used for remote administration and support. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110.001, which covers "Brute Force: Password Guessing," as it provides attackers with additional information that significantly improves their password guessing capabilities. Organizations using Mac systems for remote management may experience increased risk of unauthorized access, especially when weak password policies are in place.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected Mac OS X versions to the latest available security updates from Apple. System administrators should also implement additional authentication controls such as two-factor authentication and strong password policies that enforce complex password requirements. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit exposure of VNC services to trusted networks only. Organizations should consider disabling VNC services when not actively required and implement monitoring for unusual authentication attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure error handling in authentication systems, as outlined in industry best practices for secure software development.