CVE-2004-1121 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
Apple Safari 1.0 through 1.2.3 allows remote attackers to spoof the URL displayed in the status bar via TABLE tags.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1121 represents a significant web browser security flaw in Apple Safari versions 1.0 through 1.2.3 that enables remote attackers to manipulate the URL display in the browser status bar. This issue falls under the category of user interface deception attacks where malicious actors can exploit the browser's rendering behavior to display misleading information to users. The vulnerability specifically leverages the handling of html table elements to manipulate the visual representation of web addresses, creating a deceptive environment that can fool users into believing they are visiting legitimate websites when they are actually interacting with malicious content.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the improper processing of table tags within html documents that can interfere with the normal display of the URL in Safari's status bar. When a malicious web page contains carefully crafted table elements combined with other html attributes, the browser's rendering engine fails to properly maintain the visual integrity of the address bar display. This allows attackers to overlay or manipulate the status bar text in such a way that it shows a different URL than the actual page being loaded. The flaw essentially creates a mismatch between the browser's displayed address and the actual web content, enabling sophisticated phishing attacks and social engineering campaigns.
This vulnerability has substantial operational impact within the context of web security and user trust models. Users who rely on visual cues from browser status bars for security verification may be deceived into trusting malicious websites, potentially leading to credential theft, financial fraud, or malware distribution. The attack vector requires no local privileges or complex exploitation techniques, making it particularly dangerous as it can be executed through standard web browsing activities. The vulnerability directly impacts the browser's ability to provide accurate security context to users, undermining fundamental security assumptions about address bar integrity and user interface trustworthiness.
The flaw can be categorized under CWE-601 as URL Redirection to Untrusted Site, and relates to the broader category of user interface deception attacks that compromise user security awareness. From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper html rendering and user interface validation in web browsers. The attack pattern aligns with techniques described in the attack tree methodology where attackers seek to exploit visual deception to bypass user security awareness. Organizations implementing security awareness training should consider this vulnerability as an example of how subtle browser behavior can be exploited to undermine user trust and security practices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve updating to newer versions of Safari where the issue has been resolved through proper html table element handling and status bar display management. System administrators should ensure that all Safari installations are updated to versions beyond 1.2.3 to prevent exploitation. Browser vendors should implement comprehensive html rendering validation that prevents table elements and other html constructs from interfering with critical security indicators. Additionally, users should be educated about the importance of verifying website addresses through multiple means beyond visual status bar inspection, particularly when dealing with sensitive transactions or personal information. The vulnerability highlights the need for continuous security testing of browser user interfaces to prevent similar issues that could compromise user trust and security.