CVE-2010-1729 in WebKit
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit.dll in WebKit, as used in Safari.exe 4.531.9.1 in Apple Safari, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via JavaScript that writes <marquee> sequences in an infinite loop.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1729 represents a critical denial of service flaw within Apple Safari's WebKit rendering engine. This issue specifically affects Safari version 4.531.9.1 and stems from improper handling of JavaScript execution within the WebKit.dll component. The flaw manifests when malicious JavaScript code attempts to create infinite loops using marquee elements, which are HTML tags designed for scrolling text displays. The vulnerability exploits a fundamental weakness in how the browser processes these specific HTML sequences, leading to application instability and eventual crashes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the marquee HTML element in conjunction with JavaScript to create an infinite loop scenario that consumes excessive system resources. When a web page containing malicious JavaScript code attempts to repeatedly write marquee sequences, the browser's rendering engine becomes overwhelmed with processing demands. This particular flaw falls under the CWE-400 category of Uncontrolled Resource Consumption, specifically manifesting as a resource exhaustion attack that can be triggered through web-based content. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign HTML elements can be weaponized when combined with JavaScript to create denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1729 extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially disrupt user productivity and system stability. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause Safari to become unresponsive or completely terminate, forcing users to manually restart their browsers and potentially lose unsaved work. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. This makes it an attractive target for attackers seeking to disrupt user sessions or create conditions for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which involves network denial of service attacks through resource exhaustion.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve multiple layers of defense including immediate patching of affected Safari versions, implementing browser security policies that restrict JavaScript execution, and deploying network-level protections to detect and block malicious content. Users should ensure they maintain updated versions of Safari and WebKit components to prevent exploitation. Network administrators can implement web application firewalls that monitor for suspicious JavaScript patterns and marquee element usage. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of input validation and resource management within browser rendering engines, emphasizing that even standard HTML elements require proper bounds checking and resource limiting mechanisms to prevent abuse. Organizations should consider implementing security awareness training to help users recognize potentially malicious websites that might exploit such vulnerabilities.