CVE-2010-0524 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
The default configuration of the FreeRADIUS server in Apple Mac OS X Server before 10.6.3 permits EAP-TLS authenticated connections on the basis of an arbitrary client certificate, which allows remote attackers to obtain network connectivity via a crafted RADIUS Access Request message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0524 represents a critical authentication flaw in the FreeRADIUS server implementation within Apple Mac OS X Server versions prior to 10.6.3. This issue stems from the default configuration that fails to properly validate client certificates during EAP-TLS authentication processes, creating a significant security weakness that can be exploited by remote attackers to gain unauthorized network access.
The technical flaw resides in the certificate validation mechanism where the FreeRADIUS server accepts any client certificate presented during EAP-TLS authentication without proper verification of the certificate's authenticity or trust chain. This misconfiguration allows attackers to craft specially formatted RADIUS Access Request messages that contain forged client certificate information, enabling them to establish authenticated network connections without possessing legitimate credentials. The vulnerability specifically affects the certificate validation process, which should normally verify the certificate's signature, issuer, and trust relationships against established certificate authorities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it provides remote attackers with a pathway to bypass network authentication controls entirely. An attacker can exploit this weakness to gain network connectivity without requiring valid user credentials or legitimate certificates, effectively undermining the entire authentication framework. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where Mac OS X Server is used for network access control, as it allows unauthorized users to establish network sessions that would normally require proper authentication and certificate validation. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be executed remotely without requiring physical access to the network infrastructure.
This vulnerability maps to CWE-295 which describes "Improper Certificate Validation" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.002 for "Phishing via Service" and T1071.004 for "Application Layer Protocol: DNS" in network infiltration scenarios. Organizations using affected Mac OS X Server versions face significant risk of unauthorized network access and potential lateral movement within their networks. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor authentication mechanism that bypasses normal security controls and can be exploited to establish persistent network access.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected Mac OS X Server installations to version 10.6.3 or later where the certificate validation has been properly implemented. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring of RADIUS authentication logs to detect unusual authentication patterns or certificate validation failures. Configuration hardening measures including explicit certificate validation requirements, proper certificate authority setup, and regular certificate lifecycle management should be enforced. Organizations may also consider implementing network segmentation and additional access controls to limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper certificate management and validation in authentication systems, particularly in enterprise network environments where unauthorized access can have significant operational and security implications.