CVE-2010-1412 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 related to hover events.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition within WebKit's implementation of hover event handling mechanisms in Apple Safari browser 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. The flaw occurs when the browser processes hover events that trigger memory deallocation followed by subsequent access to freed memory regions, creating opportunities for remote code execution or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-416, representing a classic use-after-free scenario where memory management errors allow attackers to manipulate program execution flow through crafted web content.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves constructing malicious web pages that trigger specific hover event sequences which cause the WebKit rendering engine to free memory associated with DOM elements while simultaneously maintaining references to those elements. When the browser subsequently attempts to process these freed references during hover event handling, it can result in memory corruption that attackers can potentially leverage to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1557.001 for proxying through the application layer, as attackers can use the compromised browser to establish further malicious activities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially enable full system compromise when attackers can successfully execute code on affected systems. The vulnerability affects a wide range of operating systems and browser versions, making it particularly dangerous as it impacts multiple platform configurations. The remote nature of the attack vector means that users can be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites or viewing crafted content, without requiring any user interaction beyond normal browsing behavior. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors targeting enterprise environments where users may inadvertently encounter malicious content through phishing campaigns or compromised websites.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected Safari browser versions to the latest secure releases, implementation of web content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms, and deployment of network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary browser features, enforcing strict content security policies, and using web application firewalls to filter malicious content. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security updates and proper memory management practices in browser development, as it demonstrates how seemingly benign user interaction patterns can create critical security risks. Additionally, users should be educated about the dangers of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping software updated to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.