CVE-2008-3619 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Time Machine in Apple Mac OS X 10.5 through 10.5.4 uses weak permissions for Time Machine Backup log files, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading these files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-3619 relates to a security flaw in Apple Mac OS X versions 10.5 through 10.5.4 where Time Machine backup log files are created with insufficient access controls. This weakness in permission settings creates a significant information disclosure risk for local attackers who can potentially access sensitive data that should remain protected. The Time Machine feature is Apple's built-in backup solution designed to automatically save user files to external storage devices or network volumes, making it a critical component of system security and data protection mechanisms within the operating system.
The technical flaw stems from the improper implementation of file system permissions for Time Machine log files during the backup process. These log files contain metadata about backup operations, including file paths, timestamps, and potentially sensitive information about user activities and system configurations. The weak permissions allow any local user account to read these files, violating fundamental security principles of least privilege and information classification. This vulnerability specifically affects the discretionary access control model implementation within the operating system, where the system fails to properly enforce access restrictions on backup-related artifacts that may contain personally identifiable information or system configuration details.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the compromised log files may contain detailed information about user file structures, backup schedules, and potentially sensitive system configurations. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain insights into user behavior patterns, system usage, and potentially identify other security vulnerabilities through the information contained in these logs. This represents a violation of the principle of least privilege as defined in the CWE-255 weakness classification, where the system fails to properly restrict access to sensitive data. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 which covers data from local system, and T1083 which involves file and directory discovery, as attackers can leverage this weakness to enumerate system information.
The security implications of this vulnerability are particularly concerning given that Time Machine backups often contain comprehensive information about user systems, including file names, directories, and backup timestamps that could be used for further attacks. The weak permissions create an information leakage channel that could enable attackers to perform reconnaissance activities, identify potential targets for more sophisticated attacks, or extract sensitive information that could be used in social engineering campaigns. Organizations relying on Mac OS X systems for business operations face increased risk of data exposure through this flaw, especially in environments where multiple user accounts exist on the same system. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in the operating system's security architecture to properly isolate backup metadata from unauthorized access, highlighting the importance of proper access control implementation as outlined in security frameworks and best practices.