CVE-2012-0652 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Login Window in Apple Mac OS X 10.7.3, when Legacy File Vault or networked home directories are enabled, does not properly restrict what is written to the system log for network logins, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading the log.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-0652 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the macOS login window mechanism that affects Mac OS X 10.7.3 systems. This issue specifically manifests when Legacy File Vault encryption or networked home directories are configured, creating an environment where sensitive authentication data becomes inadvertently exposed through system logging mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from improper access controls and logging practices that fail to sanitize or restrict the information written to system logs during network authentication processes.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs within the login window component of the operating system where authentication credentials and session information are processed. When users authenticate through network connections while Legacy File Vault is enabled, the system writes detailed authentication metadata to system logs without adequate filtering or sanitization. This includes potentially sensitive information such as authentication tokens, session identifiers, or other credential-related data that should remain confidential. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200 as an improper information disclosure, where sensitive data is written to logs without proper access controls or data sanitization.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations utilizing macOS systems with legacy encryption or network home directories. Local attackers who can access system logs can extract sensitive authentication information that could be leveraged for privilege escalation, account takeover, or further network infiltration attempts. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where system administrators may not properly monitor or restrict log file access, potentially exposing credentials that could be used to access network resources, corporate data, or other sensitive systems. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1074.001 for data staging through log files and T1567.002 for credential compromise through network protocols.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate system hardening measures including disabling Legacy File Vault if not required, implementing proper log access controls, and ensuring that system logs are properly monitored for unauthorized access attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing centralized log management solutions with appropriate access controls and audit trails. Apple addressed this issue in subsequent updates by improving the authentication logging mechanism to properly sanitize or restrict sensitive information written to system logs. Regular security assessments should verify that authentication logging does not expose sensitive information and that proper access controls are in place for system log files to prevent unauthorized disclosure of authentication data.