CVE-2010-1388 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit in Apple Safari before 5.0 on Mac OS X 10.5 through 10.6, and before 4.1 on Mac OS X 10.4, does not properly handle clipboard (1) drag and (2) paste operations for URLs, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a crafted HTML document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1388 represents a critical security flaw in Apple Safari's WebKit rendering engine that affected multiple versions of Mac OS X operating systems. This issue stems from improper handling of clipboard operations during drag and drop scenarios involving URLs, creating a significant information disclosure risk that could be exploited by remote attackers. The vulnerability specifically impacts Safari versions prior to 5.0 on Mac OS X 10.5 through 10.6, and before 4.1 on Mac OS X 10.4, making it a widespread concern across several operating system versions. The flaw operates through a sophisticated manipulation of web browser clipboard functionality where malicious actors can craft specially designed HTML documents to exploit the underlying implementation weakness.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves WebKit's insufficient validation mechanisms when processing drag and paste operations with URL data. When users interact with web content that contains crafted HTML elements, the browser's clipboard handling code fails to properly sanitize or restrict access to file system resources. This improper handling creates a path where arbitrary file access becomes possible through seemingly benign clipboard operations. The vulnerability specifically manifests during URL drag and drop activities, where the WebKit engine does not adequately validate the source or destination of URL data being manipulated. This flaw falls under the CWE-20 category of "Improper Input Validation" and represents a classic example of how clipboard operations can be weaponized for information disclosure attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1388 extends beyond simple file reading capabilities, as it enables attackers to potentially access sensitive system information that could include user credentials, personal documents, or system configuration files. Attackers can craft malicious HTML documents that, when opened in affected Safari versions, automatically trigger clipboard operations that read arbitrary files from the local system. This capability allows for targeted information gathering and could serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. The user-assisted nature of the exploit means that victims must interact with the malicious content, typically through clicking on links or opening web pages, making it particularly dangerous in phishing scenarios or compromised websites. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the widespread use of Safari on Mac OS X systems, affecting a significant user base across multiple operating system versions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1388 primarily involve immediate software updates and patch management procedures to upgrade affected Safari versions to secure releases. System administrators should prioritize deployment of Apple's security patches that address the clipboard handling implementation in WebKit. Additionally, implementing browser security policies that restrict clipboard access and limiting user privileges on affected systems can reduce the potential impact of exploitation. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help detect and block malicious HTML content targeting this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing security awareness training to educate users about the risks of interacting with untrusted web content. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1071 for application layer protocol, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of the attack vectors that can exploit this clipboard manipulation weakness. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure that all affected systems are properly patched and that no legacy installations remain exposed to this persistent threat.