CVE-2012-0656 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in LoginUIFramework in Apple Mac OS X 10.7.x before 10.7.4, when the Guest account is enabled, allows physically proximate attackers to login to arbitrary accounts by entering the account name and no password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0656 represents a critical race condition flaw within the LoginUIFramework component of Apple Mac OS X 10.7.x operating systems prior to version 10.7.4. This issue specifically manifests when the Guest account functionality is enabled, creating a security weakness that fundamentally undermines the authentication mechanism of the system. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of operating system user interface components and authentication protocols, exploiting a temporal discrepancy in how the system processes login requests.
The technical implementation of this race condition occurs within the LoginUIFramework's handling of user authentication sequences. When a user attempts to log in through the graphical interface while the Guest account is enabled, the system fails to properly validate the account selection process before proceeding with authentication checks. This temporal gap allows an attacker with physical proximity to manipulate the login flow by simply entering any valid account name without providing a corresponding password. The flaw stems from insufficient synchronization between the user interface elements and the underlying authentication engine, creating a window where the system accepts empty password entries for legitimate accounts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with the ability to impersonate any user account on the system without knowledge of passwords. This creates a significant risk for organizations and individuals who rely on the Guest account feature for temporary access while maintaining other accounts with sensitive data. The vulnerability's exploitability is enhanced by its requirement for physical proximity, which means attackers could potentially gain access to systems in environments where security controls are relaxed. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and undermines the fundamental security model of the operating system's authentication framework.
This vulnerability maps to CWE-362, which describes a race condition in software systems where the order of operations creates exploitable timing windows. The attack pattern aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the credential access category, specifically targeting the exploitation of authentication mechanisms through manipulation of system state. The physical proximity requirement places this vulnerability in the context of local attacks where attackers have direct access to target systems, potentially enabling more sophisticated exploitation techniques. Organizations should consider implementing additional controls such as disabling Guest accounts when not required, implementing stronger physical security measures, and ensuring timely deployment of security patches to mitigate the risk. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper synchronization and validation in authentication systems, particularly in user interface components that handle sensitive operations.