CVE-2011-3225 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
The SMB File Server component in Apple Mac OS X 10.7 before 10.7.2 does not prevent all guest users from accessing the share point record of a guest-restricted folder, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended browsing restrictions by leveraging access to the nobody account.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-3225 represents a significant access control flaw within Apple Mac OS X 10.7 operating system, specifically affecting versions prior to 10.7.2. This issue resides within the SMB File Server component, which is responsible for managing file sharing services over the Server Message Block protocol. The flaw fundamentally undermines the security model designed to restrict guest access to shared folders, creating a pathway for unauthorized information disclosure and potential privilege escalation. The vulnerability stems from an insufficient implementation of access controls that should have prevented guest users from accessing share point records of folders configured with guest restrictions. This weakness enables remote attackers to exploit the system by leveraging the default nobody account, which is typically used for anonymous access to network services.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in proper authentication and authorization mechanisms within the SMB service. When a folder is configured with guest restrictions, the system should prevent unauthorized access to the share point record metadata that would reveal directory structures and potentially sensitive information about the file system layout. However, the flaw allows attackers to bypass these restrictions through the nobody account, which serves as a default anonymous user account in Unix-based systems. This account typically has minimal privileges but in this case provides sufficient access to enumerate share point records and potentially gain insights into the network file structure. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, specifically focusing on insufficient access control mechanisms in network services. The attack vector requires only remote access to the affected system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without physical access or prior authentication.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3225 extends beyond simple information disclosure, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks within a network environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain knowledge about shared resources, directory structures, and potentially identify other systems or services that may be vulnerable to additional attacks. This reconnaissance capability allows for more targeted exploitation of other systems within the network, as the attacker now has information about the file sharing configuration and potentially sensitive directory layouts. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad by allowing unauthorized access to information that should remain restricted to authorized users only. From an attacker's perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-impact method of gathering intelligence about network resources, which aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the reconnaissance phase, specifically targeting network service enumeration and credential access.
The remediation for this vulnerability requires immediate application of Apple's security update that addresses the access control implementation within the SMB File Server component. System administrators should prioritize patching affected Mac OS X 10.7 systems to ensure proper isolation of guest-accessible resources. Additional mitigations include implementing proper network segmentation, restricting SMB service access to trusted networks only, and ensuring that guest access is properly configured with appropriate restrictions. Organizations should also consider monitoring for unusual SMB traffic patterns or unauthorized access attempts to shared resources. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper access control implementation in network services and demonstrates how default accounts can become attack vectors when not properly secured. This issue serves as a reminder of the critical need for comprehensive security testing of network services and proper configuration management to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. The fix implemented by Apple addresses the core flaw in the access control mechanism and ensures that guest-restricted folders maintain their intended security boundaries, preventing the bypass of share point record access through the nobody account.