Title: Apple MacOS X Terminal sudo command Unauthorized Access Vulnerability
Severity: MODERATE
Description:
Apple's MacOS X operating system includes the Terminal application, which is a GUI-based Unix command shell.
A vulnerability has been reported to exist in the software that may allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access to the system. The problem is reported to exist in the sudo command implemented by the Terminal application. It has been reported that sudo command will wait for five minutes after a password is entered before prompting for the password again. The issue is reported to present itself when an Apple laptop has been put to sleep after issue a sudo command. The sudo program uses the Terminal application clock instead of the internal system clock. After the system is awakened, it takes approximately 10 to 20 seconds for the system to update the clock in the Terminal interface, therefore giving a physical attacker a window of opportunity to gain unauthorized access to the system.
This issue has been tested on laptops running Apple OS X 10.2.3 Jaguar, OS X 10.2.7 Jaguar, and OS X 10.3 Panther, however other versions may be affected as well.
Affected Products:
- Apple Mac OS X 10.2.3
- Apple Mac OS X 10.2.7
- Apple Mac OS X 10.3.0
References:
- Apple: Mac OS X Home Page
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