CVE-2010-1803 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Time Machine in Apple Mac OS X 10.6.x before 10.6.5 does not verify the unique identifier of its remote AFP volume, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by spoofing this volume.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-1803 affects Apple Mac OS X 10.6.x systems prior to version 10.6.5, specifically within the Time Machine backup functionality. This issue represents a significant security flaw in the handling of remote Apple Filing Protocol AFP volumes that are used for backup operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of the unique identifier associated with remote AFP volumes, creating a potential attack vector for remote adversaries seeking to access sensitive system information.
The technical flaw lies in the Time Machine implementation's failure to properly authenticate and verify the unique identifier of remote AFP volumes before establishing a connection. This weakness allows attackers to spoof or impersonate legitimate AFP volumes by presenting false unique identifiers during the connection process. When Time Machine attempts to connect to a remote backup volume, it relies on the identifier provided by the remote system without adequate verification mechanisms. This validation gap enables malicious actors to intercept or manipulate the backup connection process and gain unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to backup data and system configurations that could be used for further exploitation. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain insights into the target system's backup infrastructure, potentially identifying other security weaknesses or accessing sensitive data that should remain protected. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where Time Machine is configured to use remote AFP volumes for backup operations, making it a significant concern for enterprise and organizational deployments.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a classic case of insufficient validation of identifiers in network communications. The attack pattern corresponds to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under initial access and credential access phases, where adversaries establish footholds through network-based impersonation attacks. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems to address this vulnerability and implement additional monitoring for unauthorized AFP volume connections. The remediation process requires updating to Mac OS X 10.6.5 or later versions, which include proper validation of AFP volume identifiers. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional controls such as AFP volume authentication mechanisms and monitoring for suspicious connection patterns to further reduce the attack surface and prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.