CVE-2010-1409 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
Incomplete blacklist 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 trigger disclosure of data over IRC via vectors involving an IRC service port.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1409 represents a critical security flaw in the WebKit rendering engine used by Apple Safari browser across multiple operating systems. This issue stems from an incomplete blacklist implementation that fails to properly restrict certain network protocols and services, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit the browser's handling of IRC (Internet Relay Chat) connections. The vulnerability 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, demonstrating the widespread nature of the flaw across different system architectures and operating environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves WebKit's insufficient filtering mechanisms that allow malicious actors to bypass security restrictions designed to prevent direct network connections to IRC service ports. When Safari processes web content that attempts to establish IRC connections, the incomplete blacklist fails to properly validate or block these requests, enabling unauthorized data disclosure over the IRC protocol. This flaw specifically targets the browser's handling of network service connections and demonstrates a classic case of inadequate input validation and protocol restriction enforcement. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the browser's network capabilities to establish connections that should normally be blocked by security policies.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data disclosure, as it provides attackers with a method to establish unauthorized communication channels through the victim's browser. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to gain access to sensitive information that may be transmitted over IRC connections, potentially including user credentials, system information, or other confidential data. The attack vector specifically involves crafting malicious web content that triggers Safari to attempt IRC service connections, bypassing the browser's intended security boundaries. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-693, which describes protection mechanism failures, and represents a significant concern for enterprise environments where users may encounter malicious web content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1409 require immediate implementation of browser updates and security patches from Apple to address the incomplete blacklist implementation. Organizations should ensure that all Safari installations are upgraded 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, as these versions contain the necessary fixes for the WebKit rendering engine. Additionally, network administrators should implement enhanced monitoring of IRC traffic patterns and consider implementing firewall rules to block IRC service ports at the network level. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper protocol handling in web browsers and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol usage for command and control communications. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar incomplete blacklist implementations in other browser components or web applications, as this type of flaw represents a common security pattern that can lead to significant data exposure risks.