CVE-2013-5136 in Remote Desktop Admin
Summary
by MITRE
Apple Remote Desktop before 3.7 does not properly use server authentication-type information during decisions about whether to present an unencrypted-connection warning message, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information in opportunistic circumstances by sniffing the network during an unintended cleartext VNC session.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5136 affects Apple Remote Desktop versions prior to 3.7 and represents a critical flaw in the application's handling of server authentication mechanisms during VNC session establishment. This weakness stems from the improper utilization of authentication-type information when determining whether to display warnings about unencrypted connections, creating a significant security gap that adversaries can exploit through network sniffing activities. The vulnerability operates within the context of opportunistic attacks where attackers monitor network traffic to intercept sensitive data during unintended cleartext VNC sessions, bypassing the intended security protections that should prevent such exposures.
The technical implementation flaw resides in Apple Remote Desktop's decision-making process regarding connection security warnings. When establishing VNC connections, the software fails to properly validate the authentication type information that should guide whether to alert users about potential cleartext transmission risks. This misconfiguration allows the system to proceed with unencrypted connections without appropriate user notification, particularly when the authentication mechanism does not explicitly require encrypted transport. The vulnerability specifically impacts the opportunistic nature of VNC sessions where attackers can capture network packets containing sensitive information, including credentials, session data, and potentially other confidential communications that traverse the network in cleartext format.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential credential compromise and unauthorized access to managed systems. Attackers leveraging this weakness can perform man-in-the-middle attacks by sniffing network traffic during VNC sessions, particularly when users connect to systems that do not properly enforce encrypted connections. The vulnerability is especially dangerous in environments where Apple Remote Desktop is used for system administration, as it can expose administrative credentials and system access information to unauthorized parties. This creates a persistent risk for organizations that rely on Apple Remote Desktop for remote management tasks, particularly in network environments where traffic interception is feasible.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Apple Remote Desktop version 3.7 or later, which addresses the authentication-type information handling flaw. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect and prevent unauthorized VNC session establishment, while administrators should enforce mandatory encrypted connections for all remote desktop sessions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic issues in authentication mechanisms, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage in network communications. Security teams must also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for VNC traffic patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts, while ensuring that all remote desktop sessions utilize encrypted transport protocols such as SSH tunneling or encrypted VNC implementations to prevent the opportunistic exploitation scenarios that this vulnerability enables.