CVE-2013-0982 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
The Private Browsing feature in CFNetwork in Apple Mac OS X before 10.8.4 does not prevent storage of permanent cookies upon exit from Safari, which might allow physically proximate attackers to bypass cookie-based authentication by leveraging an unattended workstation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-0982 resides within Apple's CFNetwork framework, specifically affecting Mac OS X versions prior to 10.8.4. This issue directly impacts Safari's Private Browsing functionality, creating a significant security gap that undermines user privacy expectations. The flaw represents a critical failure in the intended security model where users expect private browsing sessions to maintain complete isolation from persistent data storage mechanisms. When users exit Safari's private browsing mode, the system should ensure no trace of session data remains, including cookies that typically persist beyond the browsing session. However, this vulnerability allows cookies to be stored permanently even after private browsing sessions end, effectively nullifying the privacy protections users rely upon.
The technical implementation flaw stems from improper handling of cookie persistence mechanisms within CFNetwork's private browsing context. When Safari operates in private browsing mode, it should maintain strict separation between temporary session data and permanent storage systems. The vulnerability manifests as a failure in this separation, where cookies that should be ephemeral and deleted upon session termination are instead written to persistent storage locations. This behavior creates a persistent state that can be leveraged by attackers who gain physical access to the device. The underlying architecture fails to properly enforce the isolation boundaries that private browsing is designed to maintain, allowing session data to leak into the permanent storage layer. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and data isolation that security frameworks require for maintaining user privacy.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privacy concerns to encompass authentication bypass capabilities that pose significant risks in shared or unattended environments. Attackers with physical proximity to an unattended workstation can exploit this flaw to maintain access to web applications that rely on cookie-based authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous in corporate environments where employees leave their workstations unattended, or in public spaces where devices might be left unattended. When a user exits private browsing mode, the persistent cookies can be used to authenticate to web applications without requiring additional credentials, effectively creating a backdoor that bypasses the intended security controls. This type of attack aligns with the attack pattern described in the attack tree model where physical access combined with knowledge of application behavior can lead to privilege escalation and unauthorized access. The vulnerability essentially creates a persistent authentication token that can be reused across multiple sessions, undermining the fundamental security assumptions of private browsing.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-200, which addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and CWE-522, which covers insufficiently protected credentials. The flaw also correlates with ATT&CK technique T1566, which involves credential access through physical access to systems, and T1078, which covers valid accounts and legitimate credentials. The security implications extend to the broader category of information disclosure vulnerabilities where sensitive session data is not properly managed. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly in environments where physical security controls may be insufficient. The remediation strategy requires immediate patching of affected systems, but also involves implementing additional controls such as automatic screen locking, enhanced physical security measures, and user education about the risks of leaving devices unattended. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper sandboxing and data isolation in application frameworks, where the failure to properly manage session state can create persistent security risks that extend far beyond the immediate application context.