CVE-2017-7143 : Security Advisory and Response

Certain Apple products, specifically macOS versions earlier than 10.13, are vulnerable due to a flaw in the 'Captive Network Assistant' component. Attackers can potentially access plain text passwords when users interact with captive portal browsers.

Understanding CVE-2017-7143

This CVE identifies a security issue in certain Apple products that could lead to password exposure in plain text.

What is CVE-2017-7143?

CVE-2017-7143 is a vulnerability affecting macOS versions prior to 10.13, allowing remote attackers to uncover passwords in plain text under specific network sniffing conditions.

The Impact of CVE-2017-7143

The vulnerability enables attackers to exploit a user interface error in the captive portal browser, leading to the inadvertent transmission of sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-7143

The technical aspects of the CVE-2017-7143 vulnerability are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The flaw exists in the 'Captive Network Assistant' component.
Attackers can exploit this flaw to access plain text passwords.

Affected Systems and Versions

macOS versions earlier than 10.13 are vulnerable.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can sniff the network during captive portal browser usage to uncover passwords.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-7143, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update macOS to version 10.13 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Avoid using captive portal browsers on unsecured networks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Use encrypted networks to prevent network sniffing attacks.
Implement strong password policies and consider using password managers.

Patching and Updates

Regularly update macOS and apply security patches to stay protected against known vulnerabilities.