If you have a Mac computer and you are using latest version of Apple operating system, MacOS High Sierra then you have to take a lot of safety measures. Macs have been infected with an endangering risk that allows unauthorized users to get into your computers without any passwords or security checks leaving all your personal data at stake.
- Nov 28, 2017 The security update is available in the Mac App Store for users running macOS High Sierra 10.13.1. The root vulnerability has not affected earlier versions of the operating system (macOS High.
- How to Protect Yourself from This Local Hack To protect yourself from this huge security flaw (CVE-2017-13872), install the Security Update 2017-001 from Apple immediately, which was issued on Wednesday, Nov. Just open up the Mac App Store app, go to the 'Updates' tab, then hit 'Update' next to the security update.
This default permits uncertified user to get physical access of your computer, known as “root” without any password.
This vulnerability is similar to one Apple patched last month, which affected encrypted volumes using APFS wherein the password hint section was showing the actual password of the user in the plain text.
Here’s How to Login as Root User Without a Password
If you want to try this exploit, then, all you gotta do is follow these steps from admin or guest account:
On your Mac, choose Apple menu System Preferences, click Security & Privacy, then click General. Open the General pane for me. Click the lock icon to unlock it, then enter an administrator name and password.
- First, open system preferences on machine.
- Then, select users and groups.
- Click the lock icon to make changes.
- Then, Enter “root” in the username field of a login window
- Don’t enter anything into the password field and leave it blank. Then press the enter button several times.
After a few tries, Macos High Sierra logs in the uncertified user allowing them access as “superuser” which permits to read and write to system files.
Making use of the MacOS login screen any user can get access to your mac with FileVault trying that root trick.
All they have to do is Click “other” on login screen and enter “root”
Somehow, it is not near to possible to exploit this endangerment when a Mac machine is turned on, and its screen is secured with a password.
Ergin publicly contacted Apple Support to ask about the issue he discovered. Apple is reportedly working on a fix.
“We are working on a software update to address this issue. In the meantime, setting a root password prevents unauthorized access to your Mac. To enable the Root User and set a password, please follow the instructions here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204012. If a Root User is already enabled, to ensure a blank password is not set, please follow the instructions from the ‘Change the root password’ section.”
Here’s How to Temporarily Fix the macOS High Sierra Bug
A temporary fix has been discovered. To fix this error you need to enable the root user with a password.
To fix this problem. The steps you need to follow are:
- Open System Preferences and Select Users & Groups
- Click on the lock icon and Enter your administrator name and password there
- Click on “Login Options” and select “Join” at the bottom of the screen
- Select “Open Directory Utility”
- Click on the lock icon to make changes and type your username and password there
- Click “Edit” at the top of the menu bar
- Select “Enable Root User” and set a password for the root user account
This password won’t let anyone access your Mac with a black password.
To be secure, you need to disable Guests accounts on your Mac. For this, you need to head on to System Preferences → Users & Groups, select Guest User after entering your admin password, and disable “Allow guests to log in to this computer.”
Jul 10, 2020 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions
There could be situations when you need to hack your own Mac and situations when you have trouble remembering your login password. Do not freak out when this happens - it is not a big deal. Learning how to reset or bypass Mac OS X password will be a great advantage because not only are you able to have access back into your Mac, but also keep your Mac better protected as bypassing the login password is really easy.
Part 1: How to Reset Login Password
As a good practice, we recommend refreshing your login password regularly. There are a couple of ways to do it.
Open the Apple Menu located on the upper-right corner of the screen. Open 'System Preferences' and click on 'Users & Groups'.
Type in your username and password to 'Unlock' the Users & Groups preferences.
In the left panel, highlight your username. Click 'Reset Password'.
Key in your new password and verify it. For future reference, it is highly recommended that you place a hint. To finish the process, click the 'Change Password' button.
Part 2: How to Bypass Mac OS X Password
Now, while refreshing your password may be good practice, it is tiresome to remember your password. At one point or another, many of us just forget our passwords and there is no way for you to enter your account on your Mac.
Do not worry about that. Here are some ways you can bypass the Mac OS X password and regain access to your computer.
Method 1: Mac OS X installer CD
Pop in the Mac OS X installer CD and hold the 'C' button while you restart your Mac. Wait until the Apple logo and the 'Mac OS X Utilities' window appear. On the menu bar at the top of the screen, click 'Utilities'.
Click 'Terminal' and type 'resetpassword' in the prompt. Press the 'Enter' button on your keyboard.
Select the specific 'Volume Hard Drive' in the top section of the window. Select the 'User Account' that needs its password to be reset and enter the new password. Verify the password and click the 'Save' button.
Click 'OK' when the prompt asks you to verify your actions.
Once you get into your desktop, restart your Mac to boot it back to normal and log in using your new password.
Method Two: Reset the Password in Single User Mode
Not all of us keep the installer CD or know where we have kept it. Therefore, this method will come in handy. It will involve some command-line footwork, but do not let that scare you away.
Restart your Mac while holding the 'CMD' and 'S' buttons. Your Mac will boot itself into the Single User Mode.
Type the following commands and press 'Enter' on your keyboard after each line and wait until it prompts you to key in the next line.
If your Mac is running Snow Leopard or below, type the following and change username and newpassword accordingly:
Protect Your Mac From High Sierra Hack Download
If the Mac is running Lion or above, type the following commands instead, changing the username and newpassword accordingly:
You should now be able to access your Mac without restrictions.
Protect Your Mac From High Sierra Hacked
Part 3: Protecting your Mac from Mac OS X Password Bypass
As you can see, it is really easy to hack into your own Mac. Therefore, it is important for you to protect it from malicious intent. To add protection to your device, you can set up a firmware password. By having this layer of protection, an unauthorised third party will not be able to reset your machine even in single user mode.
Here is how to go about it.
Pop in the Mac OS X Installer CD and wait for it to boot. You will soon be able to see the 'OS X 'Utilities' window.
Open the 'Utilities' menu and click 'Firmware Password Utility' to set a firmware password.
Check the check box, enter your firmware password and verify it. To apply the password, click 'OK'.
Protect Your Mac From High Sierra Hack Pc
You can also add another layer of protection with 'FileVault'.
Open the 'Apple Menu' located on the upper right-hand corner of the screen. Open 'System Preferences' and click on 'Security & Privacy'.
Open the 'FileVault' tab and click 'Turn On FileVault'. Your disk is now encrypted.
As you can see, password recovery for Mac is easy to execute and usually does not take a long time to do - it is simple enough for you to save a trip to the Apple store. However, since it is uncomplicated to do, your Mac is vulnerable towards invasion. Therefore, it is important to know how to hack your own Mac and protect it from any unwanted attention!
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