CVE-2010-1384 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
Apple Safari before 5.0 on Mac OS X 10.5 through 10.6 and Windows, and before 4.1 on Mac OS X 10.4, does not provide a warning about a (1) http or (2) https URL that contains a username and password, which makes it easier for remote attackers to conduct phishing attacks via a crafted URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2021
This vulnerability in Apple Safari browsers represents a significant security flaw that undermines user trust and creates opportunities for sophisticated phishing attacks. The issue affects multiple operating system versions including Mac OS X 10.5 through 10.6 and Windows platforms, as well as Mac OS X 10.4 systems running older Safari versions. The core problem lies in the browser's failure to alert users when encountering web addresses that contain embedded authentication credentials, creating a dangerous scenario where users cannot distinguish between legitimate and malicious URLs. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-611 category of Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference, though more specifically relates to information exposure through improper credential handling. The flaw enables attackers to craft deceptive URLs that appear legitimate while secretly embedding credentials, making it particularly dangerous for social engineering campaigns. When users navigate to such URLs, they receive no visual warnings or security alerts that would typically indicate the presence of embedded authentication information, thereby reducing their awareness of potential security risks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, creating a comprehensive attack vector that can be exploited across various phishing scenarios. Attackers can construct URLs that mimic trusted websites while embedding their own credentials in the authentication portion, making it appear as though users are logging into legitimate services. This technique particularly targets users who might be accustomed to seeing authentication prompts and therefore do not scrutinize URLs containing embedded credentials. The vulnerability is especially concerning because it operates silently without user notification, allowing malicious actors to harvest credentials through deception rather than direct exploitation. Users who are not trained to recognize such subtle security indicators become vulnerable to credential theft, making this an attractive target for cybercriminals conducting large-scale phishing operations. The absence of warning mechanisms creates a false sense of security that attackers can exploit to gain unauthorized access to user accounts and sensitive information.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a prime example of how browser security features can be insufficiently implemented, creating gaps that adversaries readily exploit. The flaw demonstrates the importance of proper user interface design in security contexts, where the absence of warning messages can be just as dangerous as the presence of misleading information. Organizations should consider implementing additional security measures such as URL filtering systems, enhanced user education programs, and browser hardening configurations to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive security testing that includes user interaction scenarios and real-world phishing simulation exercises. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access through social engineering and phishing, specifically targeting the initial access phase where users are manipulated into providing authentication information. The lack of proper browser warnings means that traditional security controls focused on network-level detection may not be sufficient, requiring more granular endpoint protection measures. System administrators should prioritize browser updates and consider implementing additional security layers such as web application firewalls and advanced threat detection systems to protect against exploitation of this vulnerability.