CVE-2013-5148 in Keynote
Summary
by MITRE
Apple Keynote before 6.0 does not properly handle the interaction between Keynote presentation mode and the Screen Lock implementation, which allows physically proximate attackers to obtain access by visiting an unattended workstation on which this mode was enabled during a sleep operation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5148 affects Apple Keynote versions prior to 6.0 and represents a significant security flaw in the presentation mode implementation. This issue stems from improper handling of the interaction between Keynote's presentation mode and the system's screen lock mechanism, creating a dangerous gap in access control when devices enter sleep states. The flaw specifically manifests when a user leaves an unattended workstation where Keynote was running in presentation mode while the device was in sleep mode, allowing unauthorized individuals to gain access to the presentation content.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the failure of Keynote to properly maintain security boundaries during system transitions between active and sleep states. When Keynote enters presentation mode, it typically locks the screen and prevents access to other applications or system functions. However, during the sleep operation, the screen lock implementation does not effectively prevent access to the presentation content, particularly when the device is physically proximate to an attacker. This creates a temporal window where presentation mode content becomes accessible without proper authentication, violating fundamental security principles of access control and session management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables unauthorized access to potentially sensitive presentation materials that may contain confidential business data, proprietary information, or strategic plans. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can access presentation content, view slides, and potentially extract sensitive information without requiring authentication credentials. This risk is particularly significant in corporate environments where Keynote presentations often contain confidential business strategies, financial data, or intellectual property that could be valuable to competitors or malicious actors.
This vulnerability aligns with several cybersecurity frameworks and threat modeling categories including CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and CWE-306, which covers missing authentication. The attack vector described in CVE-2013-5148 corresponds to the ATT&CK technique T1077.002, which involves exploiting vulnerabilities in software to gain access to systems. The physical proximity requirement for exploitation limits the scope of this vulnerability to local attacks, but the potential impact remains significant given the sensitive nature of many presentation materials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-5148 should focus on updating to Apple Keynote version 6.0 or later, which includes proper handling of screen lock interactions during presentation mode operations. System administrators should implement additional security measures such as enforcing automatic screen locking after periods of inactivity, disabling presentation mode during sleep operations, and ensuring that users properly log out of systems when leaving workstations unattended. Organizations should also consider implementing device management policies that enforce secure configuration settings and regularly audit system configurations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from persisting in their environments.