CVE-2007-4671 in iPhone
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Safari in Apple iPhone 1.1.1, and Safari 3 before Beta Update 3.0.4 on Windows and Mac OS X 10.4 through 10.4.10, allows remote attackers to "alter or access" HTTPS content via an HTTP session with a crafted web page that causes Javascript to be applied to HTTPS pages from the same domain.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2019
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting issue that exploits the trust relationship between web applications and their associated domains within the Safari browser ecosystem. The flaw specifically affects Safari versions running on both Windows and Mac OS X platforms, with the vulnerability persisting through various iterations including iPhone 1.1.1 and Safari 3 before Beta Update 3.0.4. The security weakness stems from improper handling of session management between HTTP and HTTPS contexts, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate secure content through carefully crafted web pages. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically manifesting as a client-side attack vector that leverages the browser's domain-based security model.
The technical exploitation mechanism involves a malicious web page that establishes an HTTP session which can subsequently influence JavaScript execution on HTTPS pages originating from the same domain. This occurs because the browser's security model fails to properly isolate the security contexts between HTTP and HTTPS sessions when they share the same domain hierarchy. Attackers can craft web pages that manipulate the HTTP session state in such a way that JavaScript code injected through the HTTP channel can execute on HTTPS pages, effectively bypassing the expected security boundaries. This cross-context injection allows for unauthorized access to HTTPS content and potentially enables more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking or data exfiltration. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient session management and context isolation in web browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple content alteration to encompass serious security implications for users accessing sensitive information through secure connections. When users navigate to legitimate HTTPS sites, attackers can potentially inject malicious JavaScript that modifies page content, steals session cookies, or redirects users to malicious sites. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it operates within the same domain context, making it difficult for users to detect malicious activity since the content appears to originate from legitimate secure sites. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security assumptions of HTTPS protection and creates a pathway for persistent attacks that can compromise user sessions and sensitive data across multiple applications. The risk is amplified by the widespread use of Safari on both desktop and mobile platforms, affecting a large user base with potentially high-value targets.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require a multi-layered approach addressing both browser-level fixes and user awareness measures. Apple should implement proper session isolation between HTTP and HTTPS contexts, ensuring that JavaScript execution in one security context cannot influence the other. Browser vendors must enforce stricter domain-based security boundaries and implement proper session management protocols that prevent cross-context contamination. Users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of monitoring their browser sessions, particularly when transitioning between HTTP and HTTPS sites. Network administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as content filtering and web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious cross-context JavaScript injection attempts. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security context management and demonstrates how seemingly minor session handling flaws can create significant security risks in modern web browsers. The attack pattern aligns with techniques documented in the attack tree framework where attackers exploit trust relationships to escalate privileges and compromise secure communications.