CVE-2009-2196 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Apple Safari 4 before 4.0.3 allows remote web servers to place an arbitrary web site in the Top Sites view, and possibly conduct phishing attacks, via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2196 represents a significant security flaw in Apple Safari 4.0.0 through 4.0.2 versions that undermines the browser's top sites functionality. This weakness enables malicious remote web servers to manipulate the browser's top sites view, which displays frequently visited websites to users. The vulnerability falls under the category of web browser security issues and specifically affects the integrity of user browsing experience and security posture.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within Safari's top sites implementation. When users access certain web pages, malicious servers can exploit unknown vectors to inject or manipulate entries in the top sites view. This allows attackers to present deceptive content that appears legitimate within the browser's interface, potentially misleading users about the true nature of visited websites. The flaw operates at the application level where the browser fails to properly authenticate or validate the sources of top sites entries, creating an attack surface that can be exploited without user interaction.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple user inconvenience to encompass serious security risks including phishing attacks. Attackers can leverage this weakness to present fake websites that appear in the top sites view, making them more convincing to users who might not notice the deception. This manipulation can lead to credential theft, financial fraud, or malware distribution when users click on the deceptive entries. The vulnerability represents a breach of user trust and browser security model, as it allows external entities to modify browser behavior in ways that should be restricted to legitimate user actions.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which covers "Information Exposure," and potentially CWE-352, "Cross-Site Request Forgery," as it involves unauthorized modification of browser state. The attack pattern corresponds to techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under T1566, "Phishing," and T1059, "Command and Scripting Interpreter," as attackers can leverage this to craft more convincing phishing campaigns. Organizations should implement immediate patch management procedures to upgrade Safari to version 4.0.3 or later, while also monitoring for suspicious browser behavior and user reports of unusual top sites entries.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of browser security in protecting user data and preventing social engineering attacks. This flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor interface elements can become attack vectors when proper validation mechanisms are absent. The vulnerability underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of browser components, particularly those that display user-facing information and interact with external content sources. Additionally, it emphasizes the critical role of timely security updates in maintaining browser integrity and user protection against evolving threats.
This vulnerability serves as a reminder that browser security encompasses not just traditional attack vectors like cross-site scripting or buffer overflows, but also includes interface manipulation and user experience integrity. The attack surface created by this flaw demonstrates how attackers can exploit trust relationships between browsers and users to conduct more sophisticated phishing campaigns. Security teams must consider such vulnerabilities when implementing browser security policies and user education programs, as they represent a significant risk to user safety and organizational security posture.