CVE-2005-2594 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
Apple Safari 1.3 (132) on Mac OS X 1.3.9 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via certain Javascript, possibly involving a function that defines a handler for itself within the function body.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2594 represents a critical denial of service flaw within Apple Safari version 1.3 running on Mac OS X 1.3.9 systems. This issue stems from improper handling of specific JavaScript code sequences that can trigger unexpected behavior in the browser's JavaScript engine. The vulnerability specifically manifests when JavaScript code contains functions that define handlers for themselves within their own body, creating a recursive or self-referential structure that the browser cannot properly process. Such malformed JavaScript execution leads to browser instability and eventual crash conditions, effectively rendering the affected system unusable for web browsing operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices and other input validation issues that can lead to buffer overflows or memory corruption. The flaw operates at the JavaScript interpreter level where the browser's execution engine fails to properly validate or sanitize recursive function definitions that reference themselves within their own execution context. This creates a condition where the JavaScript engine enters an infinite loop or encounters memory management issues when attempting to process the self-referential handler definitions. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of CWE-674, which covers uncontrolled recursion in software applications, where the recursive nature of the function definition causes the interpreter to consume excessive resources or encounter stack overflow conditions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to users of the affected Safari version as it enables remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages the browser's JavaScript processing capabilities, making it accessible through standard web browsing activities. When exploited, the vulnerability causes immediate browser termination, forcing users to restart their applications and potentially lose unsaved work or session data. The impact extends beyond individual user inconvenience to potential organizational disruption, especially in environments where Safari is the primary browser for critical business operations or where users may be less technically savvy in recovering from such crashes.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is broad, encompassing any web content that might contain malicious JavaScript code designed to exploit this specific flaw. Attackers can embed such code in phishing pages, malicious advertisements, or compromised websites to target unsuspecting users. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no user interaction beyond normal browsing, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may be exposed to untrusted web content. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents an early example of browser-based denial of service issues that would later become more sophisticated and widespread. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including browser updates, network-based content filtering, and user education to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. The incident underscores the importance of proper input validation and recursion handling in browser JavaScript engines, as outlined in various security frameworks including the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.
The remediation approach for CVE-2005-2594 requires immediate deployment of Apple's security patches or updates to Safari version 2.0 and later, which addressed the JavaScript engine processing issues that allowed this vulnerability to exist. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level controls such as web application firewalls or content filtering solutions that can detect and block suspicious JavaScript patterns before they reach user browsers. Additionally, security awareness training for users should emphasize the importance of avoiding untrusted websites and maintaining current browser versions. The vulnerability serves as a historical example of how seemingly benign JavaScript features can become attack vectors when not properly constrained, highlighting the need for robust security testing of browser components and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all systems.