Apple Mac OS X Mail weak security

macos-mail-weak-security (39104) The risk level is classified as LowLow Risk

Description:

Apple Mac OS X could provide weaker than expected security when creating an SMTP account using Account Assistant. If SMTP authentication is selected on an MD5 Challenge-Response authentication and plaintext authentication supported server, Mail defaults to a plaintext authentication setting. A remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to launch further attacks on the vulnerable system.

Platforms Affected:

  • Apple, Mac OS X 10.4.11
  • Apple, Mac OS X 10.5.1
  • Apple, Mac OS X Server 10.4.11
  • Apple, Mac OS X Server 10.5.1

Remedy:

Apply Apple Security Update 2007-009 v1.1, available from the Apple Web site. See References.

Consequences:

Other

References:

  • Apple Web site, About Security Update 2007-009 v1.1 at http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=307224.
  • Apple Web site, About Security Update 2007-009 at http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=307179.
  • BID-26910: Apple Mac OS X v10.5.1 2007-009 Multiple Security Vulnerabilities
  • CVE-2007-5855: Mail in Apple Mac OS X 10.4.11 and 10.5.1, when an SMTP account has been set up using Account Assistant, can use plaintext authentication even when MD5 Challenge-Response authentication is available, which makes it easier for remote attackers to sniff account activity.
  • SA28136: Apple Mac OS X Security Update Fixes Multiple Vulnerabilities
  • SECTRACK ID: 1019106: Mac OS X Multiple Bugs Permit Remote Code Execution, Local Privilege Escalation, Cross-Site Scripting Attacks, and Information Disclosure
  • SECTRACK ID: 1019107: Apple Mail May Use Plaintext Authentication When SMTP Authentication is Selected
  • VUPEN/ADV-2007-4238: Apple Mac OS X Code Execution and Information Disclosure Vulnerabilities

Reported:

Dec 17, 2007

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