CVE-2010-1179 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) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a large integer in the numcolors attribute of a recolorinfo element in a VML file, possibly a related issue to CVE-2007-0024.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1179 represents a critical security flaw in Apple iPhone OS 3.1.3 affecting the Safari web browser implementation on iPod touch devices. This issue stems from insufficient input validation within the Vector Markup Language (VML) parser, specifically when processing the numcolors attribute within recolorinfo elements. The vulnerability demonstrates how malformed VML content can trigger unpredictable behavior in the browser's rendering engine, creating potential attack vectors for remote exploitation.
The technical flaw manifests when Safari encounters a VML file containing a recolorinfo element with an excessively large integer value in the numcolors attribute. This condition causes the browser's memory management routines to fail during processing, resulting in application instability. The flaw operates at the intersection of memory corruption and input validation, where the parser fails to properly validate integer boundaries before attempting to allocate memory resources. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses insufficient input validation, and CWE-125, concerning out-of-bounds read conditions. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack vector means that malicious actors can exploit this weakness through web-based payloads without requiring physical access to the device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable arbitrary code execution. When the integer overflow occurs during VML processing, the browser's memory allocation mechanisms become compromised, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious code into the execution context. This represents a significant escalation from basic denial of service to full remote code execution capabilities, as demonstrated by similar vulnerabilities in the same class. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that users may encounter malicious VML content through web browsing, email attachments, or compromised websites, making this vulnerability highly exploitable in real-world scenarios.
The vulnerability's relationship to CVE-2007-0024 highlights a persistent pattern in Apple's browser implementation where VML parsing remains a weak point in the security architecture. This connection suggests that the underlying memory management and input validation mechanisms have not been adequately hardened against integer overflow conditions. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1203, which covers exploitation for execution, and T1059, covering command and scripting interpreters. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, as simply visiting a malicious website containing crafted VML content can trigger the exploit, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or drive-by download scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1179 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Apple's official software updates, as the vulnerability affects a specific version of iOS that received security patches. Organizations should implement network-based controls to filter potentially malicious VML content and disable VML processing in browser configurations where possible. Additionally, user education regarding safe browsing practices and the avoidance of untrusted websites remains crucial. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of input validation and memory safety mechanisms in web browser implementations, particularly when dealing with vector graphics formats that require complex parsing and rendering operations. Security teams should monitor for similar vulnerabilities in other vector graphics formats and ensure that all browser components undergo rigorous security testing for integer overflow conditions and memory management issues.