CVE-2011-3226 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Open Directory in Apple Mac OS X 10.7 before 10.7.2, when an LDAPv3 server is used with RFC 2307 or custom mappings, allows remote attackers to bypass the password requirement by leveraging lack of an AuthenticationAuthority attribute for a user account.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-3226 represents a significant authentication bypass flaw within Apple Mac OS X 10.7 operating system versions prior to 10.7.2. This issue specifically affects systems that utilize LDAPv3 servers with either RFC 2307 or custom attribute mappings for user authentication. The flaw stems from improper handling of user account authentication attributes when directory services are configured to use LDAP protocols, creating a pathway for unauthorized access that circumvents normal password validation mechanisms.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the absence of proper validation for the AuthenticationAuthority attribute within the LDAP directory service implementation. When a user account lacks this specific attribute, the system fails to enforce standard password authentication requirements, allowing attackers to authenticate using alternative methods or no authentication at all. This represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and authentication control, which aligns with CWE-287 - Improper Authentication and CWE-312 - Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information. The vulnerability specifically exploits the trust relationship between the Mac OS X system and LDAP servers, where the absence of expected authentication attributes creates an exploitable gap in the security model.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential system compromise and data exposure. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to gain access to user accounts without proper credentials, potentially leading to privilege escalation and lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability affects systems that rely on LDAP directory services for user management, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where centralized authentication is common. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 - Valid Accounts and T1566 - Phishing, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access through compromised accounts and potentially facilitate further attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3226 primarily focus on updating to Apple Mac OS X 10.7.2 or later versions where the vulnerability has been patched. Organizations should also implement proper LDAP server configuration to ensure that all user accounts contain the required AuthenticationAuthority attributes, thereby preventing the bypass condition. Network segmentation and monitoring of LDAP traffic can help detect anomalous authentication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, administrators should review and enforce strong directory service configurations, ensuring that authentication requirements are consistently enforced across all user accounts regardless of their LDAP attribute composition. The fix implemented by Apple addresses the core issue by properly validating authentication attributes and enforcing password requirements even when certain LDAP attributes are missing or improperly configured.