[Blog](/blog) Show links Resources [Blog](/blog) [Breaches](/breaches) [eBooks, reports, & more](/resources) [Events](/events) [News](/news) [Attack Surface Management](/category/attack-surface-management) Show links Categories [Attack Surface Management](/category/attack-surface-management) [Company News](/category/company-news) [Compliance and Regulations](/category/compliance-and-regulations) [Cybersecurity](/category/cybersecurity) [Data Breaches](/category/data-breaches) [DevOps](/category/devops) [Human Cyber Risk](/category/human-cyber-risk) [Risks and Vulnerabilities](/category/risks-and-vulnerabilities) [Third-Party Risk Management](/category/third-party-risk-management) [Vendor Risk Management](/category/vendor-risk-management) [How to Fix the Top 11 OS X Vulnerabilities](/blog/top-11-os-x-vulnerabilities-and-how-to-fix-them) Publish date November 19, 2024 {x} minute read # How to Fix the Top 11 OS X Vulnerabilities [Get a demo](/contact-sales) [Free trial](/demo) [Download the PDF guide](#) [Free trial](/demo) Written by [UpGuard Team](/team/upguard) UpGuard Team Reviewed by Table of contents Free resource ### [Download now](#) OS X may be considered Apple's desktop OS magnum opus, but it certainly hasn't been without its share of [vulnerabilities](/blog/vulnerability) ([1,250 to date](https://www.cvedetails.com/product/156/Apple-Mac-Os-X.html?vendor_id=49) per the [CVE database](/blog/cve)). The following are the top 11 OS X vulnerabilities and [exploitation prevention tips](https://macsecurity.net/view/214-remove-virus-from-macbook-pro). ## 1. Dock Vulnerability [***CVE-2014-4431***](https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2014-4431/) The Dock in Apple OS X versions before 10.10 improperly manages the screen-lock state. This could allow attackers in physical proximity to access an unattended workstation. Newer versions of OS X do not have this flaw, so upgrading to a newer version effectively remediates the vulnerability. ## 2. Mail Vulnerability [***CVE-2014-4431***](https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2015-7761/)**** Versions of Mail before 10.10 do not properly recognize the removal of a recipient address from a message. This could allow remote attackers to obtain [sensitive information](https://www.upguard.com/blog/sensitive-data) by reading a message intended exclusively for other recipients. ## 3. Security-Keychain Vulnerability [***CVE-2014-1380***](https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2014-1380/) The Security-Keychain component in versions of OS X before 10.9.4 does not properly implement keystroke observers. This could allow physically proximate attackers to bypass the screen-lock protection mechanism and enter characters into an arbitrary window under the lock window via keyboard input. Updating to version 10.11 or higher effectively remediates this vulnerability.         ## 4. LaunchServices Vulnerability [***CVE-2015-1142***](https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2015-1142/) LaunchServices in OS X before 10.10.3 could allow local attackers to cause a denial-of-service (Finder crash) via specially crafted localization data.          ## 5. App Store Vulnerability [***CVE-2014-4499***](https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2014-4499/) The App Store process in CommerceKit Framework in OS X before 10.10.2 places Apple ID credentials in App Store logs, which could allow local users to obtain sensitive information by simply reading the log files.   ## 6. PDF Password Vulnerability [***CVE-2014-8834***](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2014-8834) The UserAccountUpdater in OS X 10.10 before 10.10.2 stores a PDF document's password in a printing preference file, allowing local users to obtain sensitive information by reading said file ## 7. User Documentation Vulnerability [***CVE-2011-3224***](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2011-3224) The User Documentation component in OS X through 10.6.8 uses HTTP sessions for updates to App Store help information. This could allow a [man-in-the-middle attacker](/blog/man-in-the-middle-attack) to execute arbitrary code by spoofing the HTTP server.  ## 8. Empty Trash Vulnerability [***CVE-2015-5901***](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2015-5901) The Secure Empty Trash feature in Finder in OS X before 10.11 improperly deletes Trash files. This allows local users to obtain sensitive data by reading storage media (e.g., flash drive).  ## 9. Mail/Kerberos Authentication Vulnerability [***CVE-2013-5183***](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2013-5183) Mail in OS X before 10.9 (with [Kerberos authentication](https://www.upguard.com/blog/kerberos-authentication) enabled and TLS disabled) sends invalid cleartext data, which could allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by simply sniffing network traffic. ## 10. HFS Volume Mounting Vulnerability [***CVE-2015-5748***](https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2015-5748/) The kernel in OS X before 10.10.5 does not properly mount HFS volumes, which could allow local users to cause a denial-of-service (DoS) via a crafted volume.      ## 11. Error Logging Vulnerability [***Exploit Info***](https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/07/bug-in-latest-version-of-os-x-gives-attackers-unfettered-root-privileges/) New error logging features in OS X 10.10 that include unsafe additions to the dynamic linker could allow local attackers to gain unfettered root privileges.  ## 12. Remediation Upgrading your OS X-based nodes to the latest version can effectively remediate these vulnerabilities. However, in some cases it may not be possible (or feasible) to perform such updates en masse—these scenarios may require patches to be downloaded and applied in a specific manner. Regardless of how you plan on applying these critical OS X updates, UpGuard's OVAL-backed vulnerability scanner can automatically identify which nodes are at-risk on an ongoing basis.  ## Sources Free resource ### [Download now](#) ## Related posts Learn more about the latest issues in cybersecurity. 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