CVE-2007-3186 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
Apple Safari Beta 3.0.1 for Windows allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in a URI in the SRC of an IFRAME, as demonstrated using a gopher URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2019
This vulnerability exists in Apple Safari Beta 3.0.1 for Windows and represents a critical remote code execution flaw that exploits improper input validation in URI handling. The vulnerability specifically targets the browser's processing of the src attribute within iframe elements, where maliciously crafted gopher URIs containing shell metacharacters can trigger arbitrary command execution on the victim's system. The flaw stems from insufficient sanitization of URI parameters, allowing attackers to inject operating system commands that get interpreted and executed by the browser's underlying shell processing mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the gopher protocol's ability to construct arbitrary network requests through URI encoding, combined with shell metacharacter injection techniques that bypass normal input validation. When Safari processes an iframe with a malicious gopher URI containing shell commands, the browser fails to properly escape or validate these special characters, enabling command injection attacks. This represents a classic command injection vulnerability that falls under the CWE-77 category, specifically CWE-77 which describes "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')". The vulnerability demonstrates poor input sanitization practices in the browser's URI parsing and execution pipeline.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be delivered through web pages that appear legitimate, making social engineering attacks more effective. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install malware, steal sensitive data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability affects Windows users running Safari Beta 3.0.1, representing a significant security gap in the browser's security architecture and highlighting the importance of proper input validation in web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of Safari to a version that properly sanitizes URI parameters and prevents command injection attacks. Users should disable iframe processing or implement strict content security policies that restrict the execution of potentially malicious content. Network administrators should deploy web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious URI patterns, particularly those containing shell metacharacters. The vulnerability also underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of web browsers, including input validation testing and secure coding practices that prevent command injection attacks. Organizations should implement monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns and ensure that all browser components properly handle special characters in URI parameters. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices in browser development and the need for continuous security assessment of web applications and their underlying components.