CVE-2010-0522 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Server Admin in Apple Mac OS X Server 10.5.8 does not properly determine the privileges of users who had former membership in the admin group, which allows remote authenticated users to leverage this former membership to obtain a server connection via screen sharing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0522 resides within Apple Mac OS X Server version 10.5.8 and specifically affects the Server Admin component's privilege determination mechanisms. This flaw represents a critical access control issue that stems from improper handling of user group membership transitions, particularly concerning the administrative group. The vulnerability manifests when users who previously belonged to the admin group maintain residual privileges that should have been revoked upon their removal from the administrative membership. This oversight creates a persistent security weakness that can be exploited by authenticated remote attackers who possess valid credentials for the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the Server Admin service's failure to properly invalidate or refresh user privilege contexts when group memberships change. When a user is removed from the admin group, the system should immediately revoke all administrative privileges and update the user's security context accordingly. However, in this case, the privilege checking mechanism fails to properly evaluate the current user status, allowing former administrators to maintain access to administrative functions. The specific attack vector involves leveraging screen sharing capabilities to establish a server connection, which requires elevated privileges that should no longer be available to users who have been removed from the administrative group. This flaw operates at the intersection of privilege management and authentication systems, creating a persistent backdoor for malicious actors.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-0522 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to potentially escalate their privileges and gain full administrative control over the Mac OS X Server. Remote authenticated users who have previously held administrative privileges can exploit this vulnerability to bypass normal access controls and establish screen sharing sessions with elevated permissions. This capability allows for complete system compromise, including the ability to modify system configurations, access sensitive data, install malicious software, and potentially pivot to other systems within the network. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Mac OS X Server for their infrastructure, particularly those with dynamic user management policies where administrative roles frequently change.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Apple, which address the privilege escalation issue in the Server Admin component. System administrators should conduct thorough audits of user group memberships and ensure that proper privilege revocation procedures are followed when removing users from administrative roles. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced, where users maintain only the minimum privileges necessary for their current roles. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual screen sharing activities and privilege escalation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative access and regular security assessments to identify similar privilege management vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and relates to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and remote access. The issue demonstrates the critical importance of proper privilege lifecycle management and the potential for legacy systems to harbor persistent security weaknesses that can be exploited by determined attackers.