CVE-2011-0231 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
CFNetwork in Apple Mac OS X before 10.7.2 does not properly follow an intended cookie-storage policy, which makes it easier for remote web servers to track users via a cookie, related to a "synchronization issue."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0231 resides within Apple Mac OS X's CFNetwork framework, specifically affecting versions prior to 10.7.2. This issue represents a significant privacy concern that undermines the intended cookie storage mechanisms designed to protect user anonymity and tracking prevention. The flaw manifests in the framework's handling of HTTP cookies, creating an unintended synchronization problem that allows remote web servers to maintain persistent tracking capabilities across user sessions. This vulnerability directly impacts the operating system's ability to enforce proper cookie management policies that are essential for maintaining user privacy and preventing unauthorized tracking activities.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from CFNetwork's improper implementation of cookie storage synchronization mechanisms. When web servers attempt to set cookies, the framework fails to properly coordinate between different cookie storage locations or contexts, leading to inconsistent cookie handling behavior. This synchronization issue creates a scenario where cookies set by remote servers can persist beyond their intended scope or can be accessed by unauthorized parties through the flawed storage mechanism. The vulnerability operates at the network stack level, affecting how the operating system processes and stores HTTP cookie data, which is fundamental to web browsing security and privacy. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in cookie management and synchronization, specifically categorized under CWE-200 for exposure of sensitive information and CWE-355 for inadequate cookie security.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-0231 extends beyond simple privacy concerns to encompass broader security implications for Mac OS X users. Remote web servers can exploit this vulnerability to maintain persistent tracking capabilities that would normally be prevented by proper cookie storage policies. This enables sophisticated tracking mechanisms that can monitor user behavior across different websites and sessions, potentially allowing for comprehensive user profiling and behavioral analysis. Attackers can leverage this flaw to create persistent identifiers that bypass standard privacy controls, making it easier to correlate user activities across multiple browsing sessions and websites. The vulnerability particularly affects users who rely on the operating system's built-in privacy protections, as the flaw undermines fundamental security assumptions about cookie handling and user tracking prevention. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and defense evasion, as it enables persistent tracking that can be used to maintain access to user sessions and avoid detection by privacy-focused security measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0231 primarily focus on upgrading to Apple Mac OS X version 10.7.2 or later, where the synchronization issues within CFNetwork have been properly addressed. Users should also implement additional protective measures such as regularly clearing browser cookies and cache, disabling third-party cookies, and employing privacy-focused browser extensions that enhance cookie management security. Network administrators should monitor for potential exploitation attempts and ensure all systems are updated to prevent unauthorized tracking activities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper synchronization mechanisms in security frameworks and highlights how seemingly minor implementation flaws can have significant privacy implications. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments to identify similar synchronization issues in their network infrastructure and ensure that all components properly handle cookie storage and retrieval operations according to established security standards and best practices.