CVE-2004-0743 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Safari in Mac OS X before 10.3.5, after sending form data using the POST method, may re-send the data to a GET method URL if that URL is redirected after the POST data and the user uses the forward or backward buttons, which may cause an information leak.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2024
This vulnerability exists in Apple Safari web browser implementation on Mac OS X systems prior to version 10.3.5 and represents a significant information disclosure risk through improper handling of HTTP request methods during navigation. The flaw occurs when a user submits form data using the POST method and subsequently navigates through browser history using forward or backward buttons while encountering a redirect to a GET method URL. The vulnerability stems from Safari's failure to properly distinguish between different HTTP methods during navigation operations, leading to potential data leakage through unintended request resubmission.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the browser's history management system not properly tracking the original HTTP method of requests when redirects occur. When a POST request is processed and subsequently redirected to a GET URL, the browser's navigation logic fails to recognize that the original request was a POST operation. This results in the browser potentially resubmitting the POST data to the redirected GET endpoint, which can expose sensitive information that was intended to be transmitted only once. The issue is particularly concerning because it operates at the HTTP protocol level where the distinction between POST and GET methods is fundamental to web security practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially compromise user privacy and application security. Attackers could exploit this behavior to intercept sensitive data such as login credentials, personal information, or transaction details that were submitted via POST forms. The vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous when users navigate through browser history after submitting sensitive information, as the system may inadvertently resubmit that data to different endpoints. This behavior violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to unauthorized data exposure in scenarios where applications rely on the proper handling of HTTP methods for security purposes.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-425 and CWE-502 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, specifically addressing weaknesses in web application security related to improper handling of HTTP requests and potential data leakage through navigation operations. The issue also maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.001 for application layer protocol usage and T1566 for credential access through social engineering vectors. The flaw demonstrates a lack of proper request state management in the browser's history system and represents a failure to maintain the integrity of HTTP method semantics during complex navigation scenarios. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including browser updates, user education about navigation patterns, and network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining proper HTTP method semantics in web applications and the need for robust browser history management systems that preserve the original intent of user requests.