The Shared Name Space system is a technique to dynamically manage name spaces exported by a group of users into an aggregate name space, and reflect it back to. Another key Plan 9 concept is the 9P file protocol, and its uniform application to all resources – stored files and devices. One of the strengths of the Plan 9 operating system is its ability to multiplex name spaces efficiently. Since the issues may not be easily fixed, we built a simple program that detects exploit attempts on OS~X, helping protect vulnerable apps before the problems can be fully addressed. Running it on hundreds of binaries, we confirmed the pervasiveness of the weaknesses among high-impact Apple apps.
#MAC OS FOR BEGINNERS MAC OS#
To better understand their impacts, we developed a scanner that automatically analyzes the binaries of MAC OS and iOS apps to determine whether proper protection is missing in their code. Fundamentally, these problems are caused by the lack of app-to-app and app-to-OS authentications. As a result, sensitive user data, like the notes and user contacts under Evernote and photos under WeChat, have all been disclosed. Further, the design of the app sandbox on OS~X was found to be vulnerable, exposing an app's private directory to the sandboxed malware that hijacks its Apple Bundle ID. More specifically, we found that the inter-app interaction services, including the keychain, WebSocket and NSConnection on OS~X and URL Scheme on the MAC OS and iOS, can all be exploited by the malware to steal such confidential information as the passwords for iCloud, email and bank, and the secret token of Evernote.
#MAC OS FOR BEGINNERS SERIES#
Our research leads to the discovery of a series of high-impact security weaknesses, which enable a sandboxed malicious app, approved by the Apple Stores, to gain unauthorized access to other apps' sensitive data. less-studied Apple platforms, we conducted a systematic security analysis on MAC OS~X and iOS. To better understand the problem, on the. Given the complexity of today's OSes, less clear is whether such isolation is effective against different kind of cross-app resource access attacks (called XARA in our research). On modern operating systems, applications under the same user are separated from each other, for the purpose of protecting them against malware and compromised programs. For many users, these changes are what made the computer “theirs” and they replied heavily upon their customizations to efficiently get work done. All system extensions and user interface modifications were permanently lost. Most classic Mac OS applications were compatible, but only when operating inside a special run-time environment. Mac OS X was an entirely different operating system. It broke every program and system modification. The Mac developed a fanatical following, and you could rest assured that each fanatic's system was unique, with the icons, menus, program launchers, windows, sounds, and keyboard shortcuts all scrutinized and perfected to meet his personal needs. The users that embraced the Macintosh for its simplicity began using ResEdit (Resource Editor) to modify system files and to personalize their machines. Custom icons and desktop patterns soon abounded. With its rich graphical interface and ease of use, the Mac became the standard for graphic artists and other creative types. stark contrast to the Apple II that came before it. The expansion less design and sealed case of the Mac stood in. It was a closed machine, an information appliance. The Mac's case was sealed so tight, a special tool known as the “Mac cracker” was made to break it open. The original Mac were not having arrow keys (or a control key, for that matter), forcing the user to stop what he was doing, take his hands off the keyboard, and use the mouse.