CVE-2009-1702 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in WebKit in Apple Safari before 4.0, iPhone OS 1.0 through 2.2.1, and iPhone OS for iPod touch 1.1 through 2.2.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors related to improper handling of Location and History objects.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2025
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within the WebKit rendering engine that powers Apple Safari and iPhone OS browsers, affecting versions prior to 4.0 and specific iPhone OS releases from 1.0 through 2.2.1. The flaw stems from inadequate sanitization and improper handling of Location and History objects within the browser's JavaScript execution environment. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious web pages that manipulate these objects in ways that bypass the browser's security mechanisms, ultimately allowing arbitrary script execution in the context of the victim's browsing session. The vulnerability specifically targets the browser's object model handling where Location and History objects are processed, creating a pathway for malicious code injection that can execute with the privileges of the user's current session. This represents a fundamental flaw in the browser's security model where the expected behavior of these core JavaScript objects is not properly validated or sanitized, creating a persistent attack surface that has been classified under CWE-79 as Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation. The attack vectors leverage the browser's trust in its own object handling mechanisms, which should normally prevent arbitrary script injection but fail to properly validate user-supplied data within these specific object contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, and potentially execute more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft or data exfiltration. When exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that can access the user's session data, modify web page content, or redirect the browser to phishing sites. The vulnerability affects not only web-based attacks but also mobile device exploitation since the same WebKit engine powers both desktop Safari and iPhone OS browsers, creating a unified attack surface across Apple's ecosystem. This flaw particularly impacts users who browse the web on devices running the affected versions, as the vulnerability is present in the core browser rendering engine rather than in specific web applications or websites. The attack requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage, making it particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, where attackers leverage browser-based scripting capabilities to execute malicious payloads. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple Apple platforms demonstrates the widespread nature of the underlying WebKit implementation flaw.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems, as Apple released Safari 4.0 and updated iPhone OS versions that addressed the specific Location and History object handling issues. Organizations should implement web application firewalls and content security policies to prevent injection of malicious scripts, while browser security configurations should be updated to disable unnecessary JavaScript features or restrict object access. Network administrators should monitor for exploitation attempts and consider implementing browser security extensions or proxy-based filtering solutions to detect and block malicious script injection attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of keeping all browser components updated, as the flaw exists in the core rendering engine rather than in individual web applications. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of web applications and browser configurations to identify similar flaws in other components of the browser stack. Additionally, user education about visiting only trusted websites and avoiding suspicious links remains critical, as the vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering tactics that trick users into visiting malicious sites. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched browser versions to ensure that the specific Location and History object handling issues have been resolved, as these types of vulnerabilities often have complex interaction patterns that may require careful validation of the fix. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security layers such as CSP headers and input validation mechanisms to provide defense-in-depth against similar injection attacks that may target other browser components or web application frameworks.