CVE-2017-7138 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. macOS before 10.13 is affected. The issue involves the "Directory Utility" component. It allows local users to discover the Apple ID of the computer's owner.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7138 represents a significant privacy and security concern within Apple's macOS ecosystem, specifically affecting versions prior to 10.13. This flaw exists within the Directory Utility component, which serves as a system tool for managing directory services and user authentication within macOS environments. The issue stems from insufficient access controls and privacy safeguards within the directory service management functionality that allows unauthorized local users to extract sensitive information about the system's owner.
The technical nature of this vulnerability resides in the improper handling of directory service information within the Directory Utility framework. When a local attacker gains access to a macOS system running version 10.13 or earlier, they can exploit this weakness to enumerate and discover the Apple ID associated with the computer's owner account. This occurs because the system fails to properly restrict access to directory service metadata that contains user identification information. The flaw essentially creates an information disclosure channel that bypasses normal authentication mechanisms and privacy controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7138 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as Apple ID exposure creates multiple downstream security risks for affected systems. An attacker who discovers a user's Apple ID can potentially leverage this information for social engineering attacks, credential reuse attempts, or targeted phishing campaigns. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security posture of macOS systems by exposing personally identifiable information that should remain protected within the system's directory services framework. This issue particularly impacts enterprise environments where multiple users share systems or where macOS devices are deployed in public or shared spaces.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and demonstrates how seemingly minor flaws in system utilities can create significant privacy concerns. The attack pattern associated with this vulnerability follows the information gathering phase of the ATT&CK framework, where adversaries seek to understand their target environment before executing more sophisticated attacks. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability through the macOS 10.13 update, as it represents a persistent threat vector that requires no special privileges beyond local system access to exploit. The remediation process involves updating to macOS 10.13 or later versions where Apple has implemented proper access controls and information disclosure protections within the Directory Utility component.