CVE-2010-1386 in WebKit
Summary
by MITRE
page/Geolocation.cpp in WebCore in WebKit before r56188 and before 1.2.5 does not properly restrict access to the lastPosition function, which has unspecified impact and remote attack vectors, aka rdar problem 7746357.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1386 resides within the WebCore component of WebKit browser engine, specifically in the page/Geolocation.cpp file. This flaw represents a critical security issue that affects WebKit versions prior to revision r56188 and before version 1.2.5, creating a significant exposure for users of affected browsers. The vulnerability stems from improper access controls surrounding the lastPosition function, which is part of the geolocation API implementation that allows web applications to access user location data.
The technical flaw manifests as a lack of proper access restriction mechanisms for the lastPosition function, which serves as a critical interface for retrieving cached geolocation information. This function should typically be protected from unauthorized access by web applications, yet the implementation fails to properly validate or authenticate access attempts. The vulnerability creates an unspecified impact scenario where malicious web pages could potentially exploit this weakness to access sensitive geolocation data without proper authorization. The remote attack vectors enabled by this flaw mean that attackers could leverage this weakness through web-based attacks without requiring local system access or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes users to significant privacy and security risks. When exploited, the flaw could allow unauthorized access to cached location data that users have previously provided to websites, potentially revealing sensitive information about their whereabouts, travel patterns, and personal routines. The unspecified impact designation indicates that the exact scope of potential exploitation is not fully defined, but the implications are severe enough to warrant immediate remediation. This vulnerability directly impacts the security model of web browsers by undermining the isolation between web applications and user data, creating a potential avenue for surveillance and tracking activities.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059 for executing malicious code through web-based interfaces. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it leverages the legitimate geolocation API functionality that users expect to be secure and properly isolated. Organizations and users should implement immediate mitigation strategies including updating to patched versions of WebKit, implementing browser security policies that restrict geolocation permissions, and monitoring for suspicious access patterns. The remediation process requires updating to WebKit revision r56188 or later, or upgrading to WebKit version 1.2.5 and newer, which properly implements access controls for the lastPosition function. Additionally, security administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls and network-based monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.