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Vulnerability record · CVE-2017-13872 · published 29 November 2017

CVE-2017-13872: Apple mac os x improper authentication vulnerability

Apple · Mac Os X

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.

8.1 CVSS 3.0 High EPSS 37% · top 1.5% CWE-287 · Improper authentication
8.1CVSS 3.0 base score, v2 9.3
37%EPSS exploitation probability, 30 days
NoNot in CISA KEV
1Affected product versions listed by NVD
20References, 4 tagged exploit
17 Jun 2026Last modified by NVD

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.

CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

1 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.

References

LinkTags
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/101981 Third Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1039875 Third Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/11/macos-bug-lets-you-log-in-as-admin-with-no-password-required/ MitigationThird Party Advisory
https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/9302
https://objective-see.com/blog/blog_0x24.html ExploitTechnical DescriptionThird Party Advisory
https://support.apple.com/HT208315 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/HT208331
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/43201/ ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/43248/
https://www.wired.com/story/macos-update-undoes-apple-root-bug-patch/ Press/Media CoverageThird Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/101981 Third Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1039875 Third Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/11/macos-bug-lets-you-log-in-as-admin-with-no-password-required/ MitigationThird Party Advisory
https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/9302
https://objective-see.com/blog/blog_0x24.html ExploitTechnical DescriptionThird Party Advisory
https://support.apple.com/HT208315 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/HT208331
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/43201/ ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/43248/
https://www.wired.com/story/macos-update-undoes-apple-root-bug-patch/ Press/Media CoverageThird Party Advisory

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Same products first, then exploited flaws of the same weakness class.

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Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2017-13872), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-27). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.