CVE-2011-3462 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Time Machine in Apple Mac OS X before 10.7.3 does not verify the unique identifier of its remote AFP volume or Time Capsule, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information contained in new backups by spoofing this storage object, a different vulnerability than CVE-2010-1803.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3462 affects Apple Mac OS X versions prior to 10.7.3 and specifically targets the Time Machine backup functionality's handling of remote AFP (Apple Filing Protocol) volumes and Time Capsule devices. This security flaw represents a critical authentication and authorization weakness that undermines the integrity of backup operations. The vulnerability stems from the absence of proper verification mechanisms for unique identifiers associated with remote storage objects, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the backup system through spoofing attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the Time Machine backup process where the system fails to validate the authenticity of remote storage devices before establishing backup connections. When a user attempts to back up to a remote AFP volume or Time Capsule, the system should verify the unique identifier or serial number of the target device to ensure it matches the expected configuration. However, this verification process is absent or insufficient, allowing attackers to present fake or spoofed storage objects that appear legitimate to the Time Machine client. This weakness specifically affects the authentication phase of backup operations rather than the encryption or data transmission aspects, making it distinct from related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2010-1803 which addressed different attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential data compromise and system integrity violations. Remote attackers who successfully spoof AFP volumes or Time Capsule devices can gain unauthorized access to sensitive information contained within new backups, potentially including personal documents, system configurations, and other confidential data. This threat is particularly concerning for enterprise environments where Time Machine backups may contain proprietary information, financial data, or other sensitive materials. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to intercept and potentially manipulate backup data streams, creating opportunities for data exfiltration, system disruption, and potential escalation to more severe security incidents.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) and represents a failure in the principle of least privilege during backup operations. The issue also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers may leverage spoofed storage devices to gain access to systems through legitimate backup processes. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and insufficient trust verification mechanisms within the backup subsystem, creating a pathway for privilege escalation and unauthorized data access. Organizations should consider this weakness as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly in environments where backup systems are considered trusted components of the infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3462 primarily focus on updating affected systems to Mac OS X 10.7.3 or later versions where Apple implemented proper verification mechanisms for AFP volume identifiers. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring of backup operations and storage device connections to detect anomalous activity that might indicate spoofing attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current system patches and implementing network segmentation strategies to limit the attack surface of backup systems. Organizations should also consider implementing additional authentication layers for backup operations and regularly audit backup configurations to ensure proper device identification and verification processes are in place, thereby preventing unauthorized access to backup data through spoofed storage objects.