# CVE-2017-13872: Auth bypass in macOS High Sierra

> Attackers can gain administrator access without a password by exploiting the Directory Utility component in macOS High Sierra.

- **Severity:** High 8.1 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 29 Nov 2017
- **Updated:** 5 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-69wx-h62r-474c

## What is CVE-2017-13872?

CVE-2017-13872 is a high-severity authentication bypass vulnerability in Apple Mac Os X, published on 29 Nov 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. macOS High Sierra before Security Update 2017-001 is affected. The issue involves the "Directory Utility" component. It allows attackers to obtain administrator access without a password via certain interactions involving entry of the root user name.

Weakness: CWE-287 (Improper Authentication)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2017-13872?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Apple Mac Os X.

## How do I fix CVE-2017-13872?

No fix has been published for CVE-2017-13872 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2017-13872 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2017-13872 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Apple macOS 10.13.1 (High Sierra) - 'Blank Root' Local Privilege Escalation (exploitdb)
- Mac OS X Root Privilege Escalation (metasploit)
- Apple macOS 10.13.1 (High Sierra) - 'Blank Root' Local Privilege Escalation (Metasploit) (exploitdb)
- https://github.com/giovannidispoto/CVE-2017-13872-Patch (github_poc): https://github.com/giovannidispoto/CVE-2017-13872-Patch
- Apple Remote Desktop Root Vulnerability (metasploit)

## Other vulnerabilities in Apple Mac Os X

- [CVE-2014-7169](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2014-7169/): GNU Bourne-Again Shell (Bash) Arbitrary Code Execution (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2014-6271](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2014-6271/): GNU Bourne-Again Shell (Bash) Arbitrary Code Execution (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2012-1823](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-1823/): PHP-CGI Query String Parameter (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2021-30713](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-30713/): Apple macOS Unspecified (high 7.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2019-8526](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-8526/): Apple macOS Use-After-Free (high 7.8, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2017-13872 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2017-13872 is a high-severity authentication bypass vulnerability in Apple Mac Os X, published on 29 Nov 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2017-13872 exists.

Affected product: Apple Mac Os X. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-13872/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-13872/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-13872
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-13872
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2017-13872

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-13872/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.