CVE-2010-1178 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
Safari on Apple iPhone OS 3.1.3 for iPod touch allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a JavaScript loop that attempts to construct an infinitely long string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1178 represents a critical denial of service flaw affecting Safari web browser on Apple iPhone OS 3.1.3 for iPod touch devices. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and resource management within the JavaScript engine that processes web content. The flaw specifically manifests when the browser encounters malicious JavaScript code containing a loop structure designed to construct an infinitely long string, leading to uncontrolled memory consumption and subsequent application crash. The issue demonstrates a classic example of resource exhaustion attacks where malicious code exploits the browser's handling of string operations to overwhelm system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the JavaScript engine's string manipulation capabilities to create an infinite loop that continuously appends characters to a string variable without proper bounds checking or resource limits. When the JavaScript interpreter encounters such a construct, it attempts to allocate memory for increasingly larger string objects until system resources are exhausted, causing the Safari application to terminate unexpectedly. This behavior aligns with CWE-400 vulnerability category related to unspecified resource exhaustion and represents a specific instance of improper resource management within web browser implementations. The flaw operates at the application layer of the network stack, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through standard web browsing activities without requiring special privileges or complex exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1178 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise user experience and device functionality. When exploited, the vulnerability causes Safari to crash repeatedly, forcing users to restart the browser application and potentially lose unsaved work or session data. The denial of service affects all web content loaded through Safari, including legitimate websites and applications, creating a persistent disruption to normal device usage. This vulnerability particularly impacts mobile device users who rely heavily on web browsing capabilities, as the iPod touch and iPhone devices of that era were designed for continuous web connectivity and multimedia consumption. The flaw also represents a security risk in environments where mobile device security is paramount, as it could be exploited to create persistent availability issues for critical business applications or services accessed through mobile browsers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1178 should focus on both immediate patching and defensive measures. The most effective approach involves applying Apple's official security updates that address the JavaScript engine's resource management and string handling capabilities. Organizations should implement web filtering solutions that can detect and block known malicious JavaScript patterns before they reach vulnerable devices. Browser security enhancements including JavaScript execution limits and memory allocation controls should be configured to prevent unbounded string operations. Additionally, user education regarding safe browsing practices and avoidance of suspicious websites becomes critical in preventing exploitation. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 related to network denial of service attacks, emphasizing the need for both application-level and network-level defenses. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar resource exhaustion vulnerabilities in web browser implementations, particularly in mobile device environments where memory constraints are more pronounced than in desktop systems.