CVE-2017-13872
HIGHEPSS 98th pctlDescription
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 v3 Vector
Exploitability
Impact
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Exploit Intelligence
Very high risk: more likely to be exploited than 98% of all known CVEs.
References
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/101981
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1039875
- https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/11/macos-bug-lets-you-log-in-as-admin-with-no-password-required/
- https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/9302
- https://objective-see.com/blog/blog_0x24.html
- https://support.apple.com/HT208315
- https://support.apple.com/HT208331
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/43201/
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/43248/
- https://www.wired.com/story/macos-update-undoes-apple-root-bug-patch/
Find and fix vulnerabilities across your fleet
TridentStack Control continuously scans your Windows, macOS, and Linux fleet for known vulnerabilities, prioritizes them by severity and active exploitation, and patches them automatically.
Start freeThis product uses NVD data but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS scores courtesy of FIRST.org (https://www.first.org/epss). Source: CISA KEV Catalog. Data as of 2026-05-13.