CVE-2010-1403 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
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, accesses uninitialized memory during the handling of a use element in an SVG document, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted document containing XML that triggers a parsing error, related to ProcessInstruction.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1403 represents a critical memory safety issue within Apple Safari's WebKit rendering engine that affected multiple operating system versions. This flaw manifests during the processing of Scalable Vector Graphics documents containing specific XML structures, particularly when handling use elements within SVG markup. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management during XML parsing operations, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit uninitialized memory access patterns that could result in arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the WebKit engine's handling of ProcessInstruction elements within SVG documents, where the parser fails to properly initialize memory regions before accessing them during XML processing. This uninitialized memory access creates a predictable attack surface that adversaries can leverage through carefully crafted SVG documents containing malformed XML structures. The 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, indicating a widespread impact across Apple's browser ecosystem during that timeframe. The flaw operates at the parsing layer of the web rendering pipeline, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered simply by loading a malicious webpage.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1403 extends beyond simple application crashes to encompass full arbitrary code execution capabilities, representing a severe privilege escalation vector. Attackers can craft malicious SVG documents that, when loaded by an affected Safari browser, trigger the uninitialized memory access pattern and subsequently execute malicious code with the privileges of the browser process. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-457, which describes "Use of Uninitialized Variable" in software security contexts, and demonstrates how improper memory initialization can lead to remote code execution. The attack scenario typically involves social engineering tactics where users are诱导ed to visit compromised websites or open malicious attachments containing the crafted SVG content.
The exploitability of this vulnerability makes it particularly concerning within enterprise environments where Safari browsers may be in use, as it provides attackers with a reliable method for gaining remote access to systems. The denial of service aspect of the vulnerability can also be leveraged for persistent disruption of services, while the remote code execution capability enables full system compromise. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to ATT&CK framework techniques such as T1059 for command and control execution and T1203 for exploitation of remote services. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems immediately, as the vulnerability was actively exploited in the wild during its disclosure period. The remediation strategy requires updating Safari to versions 5.0 or later on Mac OS X 10.5 through 10.6, and 4.1 or later on Mac OS X 10.4, while also implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems to prevent access to known malicious SVG content.