CVE-2010-0510 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Password Server in Apple Mac OS X Server before 10.6.3 does not properly perform password replication, which might allow remote authenticated users to obtain login access via an expired password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0510 affects Apple Mac OS X Server versions prior to 10.6.3, specifically within the Password Server component that manages user authentication and password synchronization across networked systems. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the server's password replication mechanism that could potentially compromise user account integrity and system access controls. The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation and handling of expired password states during the replication process, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the authentication system.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper password replication logic within the Mac OS X Server's directory services implementation. When passwords are replicated across multiple servers or directory instances, the system fails to properly validate that expired passwords cannot be used for authentication purposes. This flaw allows authenticated users to leverage expired credentials to gain unauthorized access to systems, effectively bypassing the intended password expiration policies that should prevent the use of compromised or outdated credentials. The vulnerability specifically impacts the Password Server's handling of authentication tokens and credential states during cross-server synchronization processes, creating a persistent security gap that could be exploited by attackers with legitimate access credentials.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Mac OS X Server for network authentication and user management. The ability for remote authenticated users to obtain login access via expired passwords undermines fundamental security controls designed to enforce password rotation policies and limit the window of opportunity for credential compromise. Attackers could potentially maintain persistent access to systems by leveraging expired passwords that have not been properly invalidated during the replication process, creating a backdoor that could remain undetected for extended periods. The impact extends beyond individual user accounts to potentially compromise entire network infrastructures where Mac OS X Server acts as a central authentication authority.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including prompt deployment of Apple's security patches for Mac OS X Server 10.6.3 and subsequent releases that address the password replication flaw. System administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of password policies and ensure proper enforcement of password expiration mechanisms across all directory services. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in authentication systems, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and T1566.002 for credential access through exploitation of authentication systems. Additionally, implementing network monitoring to detect unusual authentication patterns and credential usage following password expiration events can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of directory services and authentication mechanisms should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the authentication infrastructure.