CVE-2007-3514 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-domain vulnerability in Apple Safari for Windows 3.0.2 allows remote attackers to bypass the Same Origin Policy and access restricted information from other domains via JavaScript that overwrites the document variable and statically sets the document.domain attribute to a file:// location, a different vector than CVE-2007-3482.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3514 represents a critical cross-domain security flaw in Apple Safari for Windows version 3.0.2 that fundamentally undermines the browser's security model. This issue exploits the Same Origin Policy mechanism that serves as the cornerstone of web security by preventing unauthorized access between different domains. The vulnerability specifically targets the document.domain attribute manipulation capability, allowing malicious actors to circumvent domain isolation controls that are essential for protecting user data and maintaining web application security boundaries. The attack vector described in this CVE differs significantly from CVE-2007-3482, indicating a distinct method of exploitation that leverages JavaScript manipulation to overwrite core document variables and set the document.domain attribute to file:// locations, thereby creating unauthorized access pathways between domains.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability relies on JavaScript-based manipulation of the browser's document object model to alter the document.domain property in a manner that bypasses normal security restrictions. When attackers overwrite the document variable and statically set document.domain to a file:// location, they effectively manipulate the browser's origin validation mechanism, allowing content from different domains to interact as if they were from the same origin. This exploitation technique demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of browser security architecture and leverages the fact that browsers typically treat file:// URLs as having special privileges that can be manipulated through JavaScript. The vulnerability specifically affects Safari 3.0.2 for Windows, indicating that this was a platform-specific issue that may have been related to how the Windows version handled local file access permissions differently from other browser implementations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to perform cross-domain data theft, session hijacking, and other malicious activities that compromise user privacy and security. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can access restricted information from other domains that would normally be protected by the Same Origin Policy, potentially including sensitive user data, authentication tokens, cookies, and other confidential information. This capability allows for sophisticated attacks such as cross-site scripting exploitation, where attackers can inject malicious code into one domain and then access data from another domain that should be isolated. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor through which attackers can bypass fundamental web security controls that are designed to prevent exactly this type of unauthorized cross-domain access.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of a Same Origin Policy bypass that aligns with attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under the technique of Web Application Security Weakness. The vulnerability represents a Category 5 issue in the CWE classification system, specifically related to improper enforcement of software security policies, particularly those concerning access control and privilege management. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including browser updates, network-level restrictions, and monitoring for suspicious JavaScript behavior that attempts to manipulate document.domain attributes. The recommended security controls include disabling file:// access for web applications, implementing Content Security Policy headers, and ensuring that all browser installations are updated to versions that address this specific vulnerability. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any applications or services that might be vulnerable to similar cross-domain attacks and ensure proper isolation of sensitive data across different domains.