CVE-2017-2488Network attack vector

Cleartext password capture via weak authentication protocol

Published Dec 23, 2021 · Updated Aug 5, 2024

Cryptographic weakness in Apple Remote Desktop before 3.9 allows remote attackers to capture cleartext passwords during authentication. The authentication protocol applies weak cryptographic protection to password material, but Apple has not published the exact faulty operation. Exploitation requires access to an authentication exchange and results in password disclosure without reported modification or service interruption.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability0.59%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Cryptographic weakness in Apple Remote Desktop before 3.9 allows remote attackers to capture cleartext passwords during authentication. The authentication protocol applies weak cryptographic protection to password material, but Apple has not published the exact faulty operation. Exploitation requires access to an authentication exchange and results in password disclosure without reported modification or service interruption.

The record

CVE
CVE-2017-2488
Published
Dec 23, 2021
Updated
Aug 5, 2024
Vendor
Apple
Product
Apple Remote Desktop
Classifications
CWE-327, T1040
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 23, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 5, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=unspecified <3.9

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · Apple Remote Desktopversion=unspecified <3.9

Published CVSS scores

7.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
5.0NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-327Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm
T1040Network Sniffing

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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