CVE-2013-5165 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
socketfilterfw in Application Firewall in Apple Mac OS X before 10.9 does not properly implement the --blockApp option, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via a network connection to an application for which blocking was configured.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5165 resides within the socketfilterfw component of Apple Mac OS X Application Firewall, specifically affecting versions prior to 10.9. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the operating system's network access control mechanisms, where the --blockApp option fails to properly enforce access restrictions. The issue stems from improper implementation of the firewall's application blocking functionality, creating a significant bypass opportunity for malicious actors seeking to circumvent network security policies.
The technical implementation flaw manifests in how socketfilterfw processes the --blockApp command line option, which is designed to block network connections to specific applications. When an administrator configures the firewall to block a particular application, the system should prevent any network traffic from reaching that application's network sockets. However, due to the improper implementation, remote attackers can establish network connections to applications that should be blocked, effectively nullifying the intended security controls. This vulnerability operates at the kernel level network filtering layer, where the firewall rules are enforced, making it particularly dangerous as it bypasses the fundamental security model of the operating system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network access bypass, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of Mac OS X systems running affected versions. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to services that should be restricted, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, or lateral movement within a network. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote attackers to bypass access restrictions without requiring local system access or elevated privileges, making it an attractive target for network-based attacks. This weakness creates a persistent backdoor that can be exploited repeatedly until the system is updated or the firewall configuration is manually corrected.
Organizations and security professionals should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to Mac OS X 10.9 or later versions where this vulnerability has been addressed. System administrators should also conduct thorough reviews of existing firewall configurations to identify any applications that may have been improperly blocked, and consider implementing additional network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically related to insufficient access control enforcement, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves privilege escalation through application misconfiguration. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and additional host-based security controls to reduce the attack surface and limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities in their environments.