CVE-2005-2517 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Safari in Mac OS X 10.3.9 and 10.4.2 submits forms from an XSL formatted page to the next page that is browsed by the user, which causes form data to be sent to the wrong site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2025
This vulnerability exists in Apple Safari browser versions 10.3.9 and 10.4.2 running on Mac OS X operating systems. The core issue involves improper handling of form submissions when users navigate away from pages that utilize XSL (Extensible Stylesheet Language) formatting. When a user interacts with a form on an XSL-formatted page and then navigates to a new page, the browser fails to properly clear or reset the form submission context. This results in form data being transmitted to an unintended destination rather than the originally intended server endpoint.
The technical flaw stems from how Safari manages the browser history and form state persistence across different page contexts. XSL processing creates a specific rendering environment that interacts with the browser's form handling mechanisms in an unexpected manner. When users click links or navigate through different pages, the browser maintains certain state information that should normally be cleared or reset, but instead retains the original form submission parameters. This behavior violates standard web security principles and creates a scenario where sensitive user data could be inadvertently transmitted to malicious or unintended recipients.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data leakage, as it represents a form of cross-site request forgery or data injection attack vector. Users who encounter XSL-formatted pages with embedded forms may unknowingly have their data submitted to different domains, potentially exposing personal information, login credentials, or other sensitive data to unauthorized parties. This vulnerability particularly affects users who browse content-rich websites that utilize XSL transformations for dynamic content rendering, making it a significant concern for web application security and user privacy protection.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-623, which addresses the use of non-validated form data in web applications, and represents a form of improper input validation that could lead to unauthorized data transmission. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1566, specifically targeting the technique of "Phishing with Malicious Attachments" or "Phishing with Malicious Links" where the malicious intent is achieved through manipulated form submissions. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including browser updates, network monitoring for anomalous form submission patterns, and user education regarding the risks of navigating away from XSL-formatted pages. Additionally, web developers should ensure proper form handling and validation practices are implemented to prevent similar issues in their applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining strict browser security boundaries and proper state management during user navigation across different content rendering contexts.