CVE-2010-0512 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
The Accounts Preferences implementation in Apple Mac OS X 10.6 before 10.6.3, when a network account server is used, does not support Login Window access control that is based solely on group membership, which allows attackers to bypass intended access restrictions by entering login credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-0512 represents a significant authentication bypass flaw within Apple Mac OS X 10.6 operating system versions prior to 10.6.3. This issue specifically affects the Accounts Preferences implementation when network account servers are in use, creating a critical weakness in the system's access control mechanisms. The flaw undermines the intended security model that should enforce login restrictions based on group membership, effectively allowing unauthorized access to systems that should be protected by such controls.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the improper implementation of login window access control within the Mac OS X authentication framework. When network account servers are configured, the system should enforce access restrictions that are strictly based on group membership criteria, ensuring that only authorized users within specific groups can access the system. However, the flaw in the Accounts Preferences component fails to properly validate these group-based access controls, allowing attackers to circumvent the intended authentication restrictions through simple credential entry. This represents a classic case of insufficient authorization validation where the system does not properly enforce the group membership requirements that should govern access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of systems relying on network account servers for user management. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain access to systems that should be restricted to specific user groups, potentially leading to privilege escalation, data breaches, or further network compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where network account servers are commonly used to manage user access across multiple systems, as it effectively nullifies the group-based access control policies that administrators have implemented. This flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and can enable attackers to move laterally within networks where such access controls are expected to function properly.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the installation of Mac OS X 10.6.3 or later updates, which contain the necessary patches to address the authentication bypass issue. System administrators should conduct thorough assessments of their network account server configurations to identify any systems running vulnerable versions of the operating system. Additional mitigations may include implementing supplementary access controls such as firewall rules to restrict access to authentication services, monitoring login attempts for unusual patterns, and ensuring that network account server configurations properly enforce access restrictions through alternative means. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability would be classified as a critical security weakness under various frameworks including the Common Weakness Enumeration standard CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues. The attack pattern aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and defense evasion tactics, specifically targeting the authentication process to bypass intended access restrictions. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as multi-factor authentication and enhanced monitoring of authentication events to provide defense-in-depth against similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other authentication components.