CVE-2008-1003 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in WebCore, as used in Apple Safari before 3.1, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unknown vectors related to sites that set the document.domain property or have the same document.domain.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1003 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within WebCore, the rendering engine that powers Apple Safari browsers prior to version 3.1. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the browser's document domain handling functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on victim machines through carefully crafted web content. The issue specifically manifests when websites manipulate the document.domain property, a feature that enables scripts from different domains to communicate under certain conditions, thereby expanding the attack surface for potential exploitation.
The technical flaw resides in how WebCore processes and validates domain-related properties when scripts attempt to modify the document.domain attribute. When sites set or modify this property to establish cross-domain communication boundaries, the browser fails to properly sanitize or validate the input, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that can execute within the context of the victim's browser session. This vulnerability operates at the core of browser security architecture, exploiting the trust relationship between domains that should remain isolated but becomes compromised due to inadequate security controls. The attack vectors involve manipulating the document.domain property to create conditions where malicious code can be executed with elevated privileges, potentially bypassing standard security restrictions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration from users browsing affected Safari versions. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that, when visited by users with vulnerable Safari browsers, silently execute scripts that steal cookies, capture keystrokes, or redirect users to phishing sites. The vulnerability particularly affects users of older Safari versions where the document.domain property was commonly used for legitimate cross-domain communication purposes, making it a significant threat vector for web-based attacks. This flaw undermines the fundamental security model of web browsers by allowing malicious actors to exploit legitimate browser functionality for nefarious purposes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1003 primarily involve updating to Apple Safari 3.1 or later versions where the vulnerability has been addressed through improved input validation and domain handling mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser update policies and ensure all users maintain current versions of their browsers to prevent exploitation. Additional protective measures include implementing content security policies that restrict script execution, using web application firewalls to filter malicious content, and educating users about the risks of visiting untrusted websites. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting languages, demonstrating how improper input handling can enable remote code execution through web-based attack vectors. The remediation process requires systematic browser version management and security awareness training to prevent exploitation of this fundamental web security flaw.