CVE-2006-1987 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
Apple Safari 2.0.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute code via an invalid FRAME tag, possibly due to (1) multiple SCROLLING attributes with no values, or (2) a SRC attribute with no value. NOTE: due to lack of diagnosis by the researcher, it is unclear which vector is responsible.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1987 represents a critical security flaw in Apple Safari version 2.0.3 that exposes the browser to potential remote exploitation. This issue manifests through malformed HTML FRAME tags that can trigger unpredictable behavior in the browser's rendering engine, creating opportunities for both denial of service conditions and arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability specifically targets the browser's handling of invalid FRAME elements, which are typically used to create nested browsing contexts within web pages. The flaw exists in the parser's ability to process malformed HTML attributes, particularly when dealing with FRAME elements that contain malformed SCROLLING or SRC attributes. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of input validation and parsing flaws that have historically been exploited to compromise web browsers and their underlying operating systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the browser's insufficient validation of HTML attributes within FRAME tags. When Safari encounters a FRAME element with multiple SCROLLING attributes that lack values, or a SRC attribute with no value, the browser's parsing logic fails to properly handle these malformed inputs. This parsing failure can lead to memory corruption issues within the browser's rendering engine, potentially causing stack overflow conditions or heap corruption that result in application crashes. The ambiguity in the vulnerability description regarding which specific vector is responsible highlights the complexity of the underlying issue, as both attribute configurations could trigger similar parsing errors. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability represents a classic example of a buffer overflow or memory corruption flaw that can be exploited through carefully crafted HTML content, making it particularly dangerous in web-based attack scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-1987 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution on affected systems. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Safari process, which typically runs with the same privileges as the user. The attack vector requires a remote attacker to deliver malicious HTML content to a victim who is browsing with Safari 2.0.3, making it particularly concerning in web-based attack scenarios such as phishing campaigns or compromised websites. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121, which covers stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses heap-based buffer overflow issues. The potential for code execution through this vulnerability makes it a significant concern for organizations that rely on Safari for web browsing, particularly in enterprise environments where users may encounter untrusted web content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-1987 primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates and browser upgrades. Apple's release of Safari 2.0.4 addressed this vulnerability by implementing more robust parsing logic for HTML FRAME elements and improving input validation mechanisms. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest Safari version that includes the patched code, as this vulnerability was not limited to specific operating systems but affected all platforms running Safari 2.0.3. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing web content filtering solutions that can identify and block suspicious HTML content containing malformed FRAME tags. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of web browsers through malicious web content, and T1059, which covers the use of scripting languages for code execution. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual browser behavior patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on memory access violations and unexpected browser crashes that may occur during HTML parsing operations.