CVE-2010-1400 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in WebKit 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 vectors involving caption elements.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2021
The CVE-2010-1400 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the WebKit rendering engine that powers Apple Safari browsers across multiple operating systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of caption elements in web documents, exploiting a fundamental memory management error that occurs when the browser attempts to access memory that has already been freed. The flaw exists in Safari versions prior to 5.0 on Mac OS X 10.5 through 10.6 and Windows platforms, as well as before version 4.1 on Mac OS X 10.4, making it a widespread issue affecting numerous user bases. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions where program code accesses memory after it has been freed, creating potential exploitation vectors for malicious actors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious web page constructs HTML content containing specially crafted caption elements that trigger improper memory management within the WebKit engine. When the browser processes these elements, it fails to properly track the memory references associated with caption objects, leading to a scenario where freed memory locations are accessed during subsequent operations. This improper memory handling creates a condition where attackers can manipulate the browser's memory state to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running browser process. The vulnerability manifests as either remote code execution capabilities or denial of service conditions that cause application crashes, making it particularly dangerous for web-based attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1400 extends beyond simple browser instability, as it provides attackers with a pathway to achieve remote code execution on vulnerable systems. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation would allow attackers to execute malicious code remotely through compromised web browsers. The attack surface is particularly broad given Safari's widespread adoption across Apple platforms and the vulnerability's presence in multiple operating system versions. Organizations running affected Safari versions face significant risk of compromise, as the vulnerability can be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The memory corruption nature of the flaw also means that exploitation could potentially lead to privilege escalation or system compromise depending on the execution context and target environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1400 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and browser updates to versions that address the underlying memory management issues in WebKit. Apple released Safari updates addressing this vulnerability in versions 5.0 for Mac OS X 10.5 through 10.6 and Windows, and version 4.1 for Mac OS X 10.4. System administrators should prioritize immediate deployment of these patches across all affected systems and implement browser security policies that restrict access to untrusted websites. Additional mitigations include network-based protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious content targeting this vulnerability, along with browser security enhancements like sandboxing and memory protection mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary browser features and implementing strict content security policies to reduce the attack surface available to potential exploiters. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping browser software updated and maintaining robust security practices to prevent exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities.