CVE-2009-2197 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
Apple Safari before 9.1 allows remote attackers to spoof the user interface via a web page that places text in a crafted context, leading to unintended use of that text within a Safari dialog.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2197 represents a significant user interface spoofing flaw in Apple Safari browsers prior to version 9.1. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation and context handling mechanisms within the browser's rendering engine, specifically affecting how text elements are processed and displayed in dialog contexts. The flaw allows malicious actors to craft web pages that manipulate the visual presentation of interface elements, potentially deceiving users into believing they are interacting with legitimate browser components when they are actually engaging with attacker-controlled content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of text rendering contexts within Safari's user interface components. Attackers can exploit this by creating web pages that place specific text elements in crafted contexts that bypass normal security checks. When users encounter these manipulated interfaces, the browser displays misleading information that appears to originate from legitimate Safari dialogs, creating a false sense of security that can lead to unauthorized actions or information disclosure. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-693 category of Protection Mechanism Failure, specifically involving inadequate user interface protection mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple deception, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks such as phishing attempts, credential harvesting, and unauthorized transaction confirmations. Users may be tricked into entering sensitive information into what appears to be a legitimate browser dialog, while attackers can exploit the trust relationship between users and the browser interface to execute malicious actions. The vulnerability demonstrates how user interface elements, often considered less critical than core security mechanisms, can serve as attack vectors when not properly secured against manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-2197 primarily involve updating to Safari version 9.1 or later, where Apple implemented enhanced context validation and user interface protection mechanisms. Organizations should also deploy comprehensive browser security policies that include regular security updates and user education about suspicious interface elements. Network-level protections such as content filtering systems and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense, while security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a user interface deception technique under the T1056 category, emphasizing the importance of defending against social engineering attacks that leverage browser interface manipulation.