CVE-2011-0197 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
App Store in Apple Mac OS X before 10.6.8 creates a log entry containing a user s AppleID password, which might allow local users to obtain sensitive information by reading a log file, as demonstrated by a log file that has non-default permissions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2021
This vulnerability resides in the App Store component of Apple Mac OS X operating systems prior to version 10.6.8, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that directly violates fundamental security principles of credential protection. The technical implementation flaw occurs when the App Store application generates log entries that contain the user's Apple ID password in cleartext format, creating an inherent weakness in the system's information handling practices. This design oversight stems from inadequate input sanitization and output formatting mechanisms within the logging subsystem, where sensitive authentication data is not properly masked or encrypted before being written to persistent storage. The vulnerability manifests when the system creates log files that contain the password in plaintext, allowing unauthorized access to authentication credentials through simple file reading operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with direct access to valid authentication credentials that can be used for unauthorized system access, account takeovers, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The risk is amplified by the fact that these log files may have non-default permissions, meaning that local users with minimal privileges could potentially access these sensitive files without proper authentication. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses the improper exposure of sensitive information, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation and output sanitization can create security holes. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no network connectivity or external exploitation, relying instead on local file system access and basic read permissions that many users may inadvertently grant to log files.
The security implications of this vulnerability are particularly severe given that Apple ID credentials typically serve as the primary authentication mechanism for various Apple services and applications, creating a potential attack surface that could lead to broader compromise beyond the initial system. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor adherence to security best practices regarding log file management and credential handling, as the system fails to implement proper logging sanitization techniques or access controls for sensitive data. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation through local file system manipulation, specifically targeting the T1078 principle of valid accounts and T1003 for credential dumping. The remediation approach requires immediate patching of the affected Mac OS X versions to 10.6.8 or later, along with proper log file permission management and the implementation of secure logging practices that ensure sensitive information is not stored in plaintext within system logs. Organizations should also implement monitoring for unauthorized access to log files and establish proper access controls to prevent local users from reading sensitive system information.