CVE-2011-3224 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
The User Documentation component in Apple Mac OS X through 10.6.8 uses http sessions for updates to App Store help information, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to execute arbitrary code by spoofing the http server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3224 resides within the User Documentation component of Apple Mac OS X versions 10.6.8 and earlier, representing a significant security flaw that compromises the integrity of software updates. This issue specifically affects how the system handles App Store help information updates, creating an avenue for malicious actors to exploit the communication channel between the user's system and Apple's update servers.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the use of unencrypted http sessions for retrieving and applying updates to help documentation within the App Store environment. When a user's Mac OS X system attempts to fetch the latest help information, it establishes an http connection that lacks proper encryption and authentication mechanisms. This design choice leaves the communication channel susceptible to interception and manipulation by attackers positioned within the network traffic path.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it enables man-in-the-middle attacks that can result in arbitrary code execution on affected systems. An attacker capable of intercepting network traffic between the vulnerable Mac OS X system and Apple's update servers can spoof the http server response, injecting malicious content that gets executed when the system processes the spoofed help information updates. This exploitation vector represents a critical security weakness that could potentially allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to user systems and execute malicious payloads.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in the system's use of unencrypted communication channels. The attack pattern follows typical MITM (Man-in-the-Middle) techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1071.004 sub-technique for application layer protocol: web protocols. The vulnerability demonstrates how the absence of proper transport layer security can create exploitable conditions for remote code execution attacks.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include upgrading to Apple Mac OS X 10.7 or later versions where the security flaws have been addressed through improved update mechanisms and enhanced encryption protocols. System administrators should also implement network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate attempted exploitation. Additionally, organizations should consider deploying network security controls such as proxy servers with SSL inspection capabilities to prevent unauthorized access to update repositories and ensure that all communication channels utilize secure protocols. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of implementing proper encryption standards and secure communication practices in software update mechanisms to prevent compromise of user systems.