CVE-2014-8827 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
LoginWindow in Apple OS X before 10.10.2 does not transition to the lock-screen state immediately upon being woken from sleep, which allows physically proximate attackers to obtain sensitive information by reading the screen.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-8827 affects Apple's macOS operating system versions prior to 10.10.2, specifically targeting the LoginWindow component responsible for managing user authentication and screen locking mechanisms. This security flaw represents a significant oversight in the system's power management and security transition protocols, creating a window of opportunity for unauthorized access during device wake operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of the transition sequence when a macOS device resumes from sleep mode. During the wake process, the system fails to immediately enforce the lock-screen state that should occur upon device activation. This delay creates a temporary period where the screen remains accessible to anyone with physical proximity to the device, potentially exposing sensitive information that was visible on the screen before the device entered sleep mode.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of user data by allowing what is known as a "screen reading attack" or "shoulder surfing" attack. Attackers can exploit this timing gap to capture sensitive information including passwords, personal data, emails, and other confidential content that may have been displayed on the screen prior to sleep. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no network connectivity or sophisticated attack vectors, relying purely on physical proximity and the inherent timing flaw in the operating system's security protocols.
This weakness aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and specifically relates to improper access control mechanisms during system state transitions. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1547.001, which covers "Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder" but more accurately represents a broader privilege escalation and information gathering attack pattern through improper system state management. The security implications extend beyond simple information disclosure, as the vulnerability could enable further attacks once attackers gain initial access to potentially sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve updating to Apple macOS version 10.10.2 or later, which implements proper lock-screen transitions during wake operations. System administrators should also implement additional physical security measures such as securing devices in restricted environments, enabling automatic screen locking after short idle periods, and educating users about the risks of leaving devices unattended during sleep/wake transitions. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments to identify similar timing-based vulnerabilities in their operating systems and implement comprehensive patch management programs to ensure all systems remain protected against known security flaws.