CVE-2009-0152 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
iChat in Apple Mac OS X 10.5 before 10.5.7 disables SSL for AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) communication in certain circumstances that are inconsistent with the Require SSL setting, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by sniffing the network.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-0152 represents a critical security flaw in Apple Mac OS X 10.5 operating system that specifically affects the iChat messaging application's handling of SSL encryption for AOL Instant Messenger communications. This issue manifests when the system's SSL configuration settings are inconsistent with the actual network traffic encryption behavior, creating a scenario where sensitive data can be exposed to unauthorized parties. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of Mac OS X prior to 10.5.7, making it a significant concern for users operating within this software environment.
The technical flaw stems from the inconsistent behavior of SSL enforcement mechanisms within iChat's AIM protocol implementation. When the application is configured to require SSL encryption for secure communication, it fails to maintain this security posture in certain network conditions or connection scenarios. This inconsistency creates a window where network traffic can be transmitted without proper encryption, effectively disabling the security controls that should protect sensitive information exchanged between users and AIM servers. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of security policy enforcement failure where configuration settings do not match actual implementation behavior, creating an attack surface that adversaries can exploit.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model that secure instant messaging systems rely upon. Remote attackers capable of performing network sniffing operations can intercept and analyze unencrypted traffic, potentially gaining access to user credentials, chat conversations, and other sensitive data transmitted through the AIM protocol. This represents a significant risk to user privacy and security, particularly in environments where network monitoring is prevalent or where attackers have access to network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the core communication security of the iChat application, making it particularly concerning for users who rely on instant messaging for sensitive communications.
The security implications of CVE-2009-0152 align with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weakness vulnerabilities, and specifically relates to improper enforcement of security policies. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access through network sniffing and information gathering. The inconsistency between SSL configuration settings and actual implementation behavior creates a condition where attackers can leverage passive network monitoring capabilities to obtain sensitive information without requiring active exploitation techniques. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by adversaries with minimal technical expertise, simply by capturing network traffic during AIM communications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate system updates to Mac OS X 10.5.7 or later versions where the SSL enforcement behavior has been corrected. Users should also implement additional network security measures such as network segmentation, intrusion detection systems, and monitoring for unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify systems running vulnerable versions of Mac OS X and ensure all endpoints are properly updated. The vulnerability highlights the importance of consistent security policy enforcement and proper testing of security controls, particularly in applications that handle sensitive user communications and data exchanges.