CVE-2010-1413 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, sends NTLM credentials in cleartext in unspecified circumstances, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2025
This vulnerability affects WebKit-based browsers including Apple 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. The flaw manifests when the browser sends NTLM authentication credentials in cleartext format under certain unspecified circumstances, creating a significant security risk for users operating in environments where network traffic may be intercepted or monitored by malicious actors. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of authentication mechanisms within the browser's WebKit rendering engine, which is responsible for processing web content and managing various authentication protocols. This issue represents a critical weakness in the browser's security architecture, particularly concerning the transmission of sensitive authentication data over networks where man-in-the-middle attacks could occur.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the WebKit engine's handling of NTLM authentication requests, where credentials are transmitted without proper encryption or protection mechanisms. This behavior violates fundamental security principles for credential transmission and creates opportunities for attackers to intercept and utilize these credentials for unauthorized access to network resources. The unspecified circumstances under which this occurs suggest that the vulnerability may be triggered by specific combinations of network conditions, server configurations, or user interactions that cause the browser to fall back to cleartext NTLM authentication instead of utilizing more secure alternatives such as Kerberos or HTTPS-based authentication. This flaw specifically impacts the authentication flow within the browser's network stack and demonstrates a failure in proper protocol handling and security enforcement.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to network resources, internal systems, and sensitive data repositories that rely on NTLM authentication for access control. This threat is particularly severe in enterprise environments where NTLM authentication is commonly used for internal network resources, file servers, and domain controllers. The vulnerability creates a persistent risk for users who access network resources through affected Safari versions, as the cleartext transmission of credentials makes it relatively straightforward for attackers to capture and utilize this information. Security professionals must consider this vulnerability as a potential entry point for broader attacks, as compromised NTLM credentials could provide attackers with elevated privileges and access to additional network resources within the organization's infrastructure.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by updating to Safari versions 5.0 or later for Mac OS X 10.5 through 10.6 and Windows platforms, or version 4.1 for Mac OS X 10.4 systems. Network administrators should implement additional monitoring and detection measures to identify potential credential interception attempts, while security teams should consider deploying network segmentation and access control measures to limit the impact of credential compromise. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-319 (Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information) categories, and represents a significant concern from an ATT&CK framework perspective under T1110 (Brute Force) and T1566 (Phishing) tactics. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based security controls such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and protocol filtering to prevent unauthorized access attempts and credential interception. The broader security community should recognize this as a critical vulnerability requiring immediate attention due to its potential for enabling widespread unauthorized access to network resources through simple credential interception techniques.