Apple’s New OS Has Severe Security Flaw

Apple’s New OS Has Severe Security Flaw

MacOS Mojave shipped with a bug that allows unauthorized access to a user’s private data.

Apple’s new version of macOS, chock full of new features, also appears to feature a bug that makes users’ private data vulnerable. This bug, found by security researcher Patrick Wardle, allows simple bypass programs to circumvent the computer’s privacy access controls — no permission needed.

In a post to Twitter, Wardle showcased his hack, alongside announcing he had found a day-zero vulnerability in the operating system. In the short video, he runs his bypass program “breakMojave” and proceeds to make good on the program’s name, using it to locate the user’s address book and copy the contents to his desktop.

Wardle called the vulnerability a “trivial, albeit 100% reliable flaw in their implementation.”

Apple addressed a number of security flaws with Mojave’s release, including vulnerabilities in Bluetooth and the application firewall. However, this new flaw, found hours before the OS was released to the public, has not been addressed yet at time of writing. No technical details were released alongside the announcement, to prevent hackers with less benevolent intentions from repeating his processes.

Wardle, who has worked at NASA and the NSA in the past, now works finding MacOS security flaws at Digita Security, of which he is a co-founder.

About the Author

Jordan Lutke is an intern with 1105 Media.

Featured

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities