CVE-2016-1787 in OS X Server
Summary
by MITRE
Wiki Server in Apple OS X Server before 5.1 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information from Wiki pages via unspecified vectors.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1787 affects Apple OS X Server versions prior to 5.1, specifically targeting the Wiki Server component. This issue represents a sensitive information disclosure vulnerability that enables remote attackers to access confidential data stored within Wiki pages without proper authentication or authorization. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and improper validation of user permissions within the Wiki server implementation, creating a pathway for unauthorized information retrieval from what should be protected wiki content.
The technical flaw manifests through unspecified vectors that likely involve manipulation of access control mechanisms or exploitation of improper input validation within the Wiki server's authentication and authorization processes. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access wiki pages that contain sensitive information such as internal documentation, project details, user credentials, or other confidential data that should be restricted to authorized users only. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure" and represents a fundamental breakdown in the server's security model where proper access controls fail to prevent unauthorized data access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the compromised wiki pages may contain critical business information, technical documentation, or sensitive project data that could be exploited for further attacks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains the ability to gather intelligence about the organization's infrastructure, development processes, and internal operations. This information could subsequently be used to plan more sophisticated attacks, identify additional system vulnerabilities, or conduct social engineering campaigns based on the gathered intelligence. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1787 primarily involve upgrading Apple OS X Server to version 5.1 or later, which includes patches addressing the access control flaws in the Wiki server component. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as network segmentation to limit access to the server, ensure proper firewall rules are in place to restrict access to only necessary IP addresses, and conduct regular security audits of wiki content to identify and remediate any unauthorized access. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of web applications and server components. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious access patterns and establish incident response procedures to quickly address potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers "File and Directory Discovery" as attackers may use such information to further explore system resources and identify additional targets for compromise.