A security researcher has found that the Admin framework in Apple OS X contains a hidden backdoor API to root privileges. As per the researcher, the flaw has been there for several years but has been detected in October 2014 and it can be exploited to escalate privileges to root from any user account in the system. The intention was probably to serve the “System Preferences” app and systemsetup (command-line tool), but any user process can use the same functionality. Apple has now released OS X 10.10.3 where the issue is resolved. OS X 10.9.x and older remain vulnerable, since Apple decided not to patch these versions. Users are recommended to upgrade to 10.10.3.
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Hacker News
Ars Technica
Team Cymru
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