Learn, hack!

URL

http://events.ccc.de/congress/2004/fahrplan/files/95-macosx-insecurity-paper.pdf

File name

95-macosx-insecurity-paper.pdf

File size

77.8 KB

MD5

1f848d20503fc88276e01f0facd25cf5

SHA1

9aa4bf6cf390f22b1bf67f0cbc64e9171e98a3cc

Some recent security problems with Mac OS X stem from the fact that Apple tries to combine the Unix security model with easy and convient usability and closed source. Showing examples from our own research we will take you on a pleasant journey to get root on almost any recent Macintosh. And of course, there will be "just one more thing". While rumors have it that Mac OS X is extremely secure due to its open-source Darwin core and the elaborate Unix security model, little is known about practical problems that hide under its hood. While the lack of serious worms and other malware for the Mac might give users a false sense of security, things aren't that pretty once you dig deeper in the system. SUID root programs, closed-source security components, and badly-chosen default settings pile up to a security nightmare waiting to happen. We will give an overview of the problems, demonstrate example code, and give you an insight into communication problems with Apple support on security issues. Both problems with Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther) and the future version 10.4 (Tiger) will be addressed. As you can expect from any decent Apple presentation, be prepared for "one more thing".