CVE-2010-1385 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in 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, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted PDF document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2021
The CVE-2010-1385 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Apple Safari web browser implementations across multiple operating systems. This vulnerability specifically affects Safari versions prior to 5.0 on Mac OS X 10.5 through 10.6 and Windows platforms, as well as versions before 4.1 on Mac OS X 10.4. The flaw manifests when Safari processes maliciously crafted PDF documents, creating a dangerous condition where memory previously allocated to objects is accessed after it has been freed, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential exploitation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which defines use-after-free conditions as a common class of memory safety issues. When Safari encounters a specially crafted PDF file, the browser's handling of embedded objects within the document can trigger a scenario where memory addresses are deallocated but subsequently referenced by malicious code. This memory management error occurs during the parsing and rendering process of PDF content, particularly when dealing with complex object structures and cross-references within the document format.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability to represent a serious security risk for users. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems, effectively bypassing security boundaries and potentially gaining full system control. The vulnerability also enables denial of service attacks, where legitimate users experience application crashes that disrupt normal browsing operations. Given Safari's widespread adoption across both desktop and mobile platforms, this vulnerability presented a significant threat to enterprise and individual users alike.
The exploitation of CVE-2010-1385 follows patterns consistent with the attack techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Tactic of Execution. Attackers typically craft malicious PDF documents that contain specially designed objects or references that trigger the use-after-free condition when processed by Safari's PDF rendering engine. These documents can be delivered through various attack vectors including phishing emails, compromised websites, or malicious file downloads, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in real-world scenarios.
Organizations and users should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Safari versions 5.0 or later on Mac OS X 10.5 through 10.6, and Safari 4.1 or later on Mac OS X 10.4 systems. Additional protective measures include disabling PDF plugin support in browsers, implementing content filtering solutions, and maintaining awareness of suspicious PDF attachments. Security professionals should also consider network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems that can detect and block malicious PDF content before it reaches vulnerable systems. The vulnerability underscores the importance of keeping software updated and maintaining robust security practices to prevent exploitation of memory safety flaws that can lead to complete system compromise.