CVE-2010-1793 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple use-after-free vulnerabilities in WebKit in Apple Safari before 5.0.1 on Mac OS X 10.5 through 10.6 and Windows, and before 4.1.1 on Mac OS X 10.4; and webkitgtk before 1.2.6; allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a (1) font-face or (2) use element in an SVG document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2021
The CVE-2010-1793 vulnerability represents a critical class of memory safety issues affecting the WebKit rendering engine used by Apple Safari and other web browsers. These use-after-free vulnerabilities occur when the browser attempts to access memory locations that have already been freed, creating opportunities for malicious code execution. The flaw specifically impacts WebKit implementations across multiple operating systems and versions, making it particularly dangerous as it affects both Mac OS X and Windows platforms with varying version ranges. The vulnerability manifests through malformed SVG documents containing malicious font-face or use elements that trigger improper memory management during rendering operations. This issue falls under the CWE-416 vulnerability category, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it leverages standard web content formats such as Scalable Vector Graphics, which are commonly encountered during normal browsing activities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires attackers to craft specially designed SVG documents that contain malformed font-face or use elements that cause the WebKit engine to free memory regions while still maintaining references to them. When the browser attempts to process these elements during rendering, it accesses already freed memory locations, potentially allowing attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to include denial of service conditions where applications may crash unpredictably. The memory corruption occurs during the handling of SVG elements, specifically when the browser processes font-face declarations or use elements that reference other elements within the SVG structure. This type of vulnerability is particularly challenging to detect and exploit because it requires precise timing and memory manipulation that can vary based on the specific browser implementation and operating system environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1793 is substantial as it affects multiple browser versions and operating systems simultaneously, creating a broad attack surface for malicious actors. Users of affected Safari versions on Mac OS X 10.5 through 10.6 and Windows, as well as those using webkitgtk versions prior to 1.2.6, face significant security risks when browsing the internet. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious websites, email attachments, or even compromised web applications that serve the malicious SVG content. Security researchers have classified this issue as a high-severity vulnerability due to its potential for remote code execution without user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attacks. The attack surface is further expanded because SVG support is built into modern web browsers and is commonly used in web applications, making it difficult for users to avoid exposure. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in browser engines and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of rendering components that handle complex web formats.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1793 primarily focus on immediate patching of affected systems and implementation of defensive measures. Users should upgrade to Safari 5.0.1 or later for Mac OS X 10.5 through 10.6 and Windows, Safari 4.1.1 or later for Mac OS X 10.4, and webkitgtk 1.2.6 or later. Organizations should implement network-level controls to block access to known malicious SVG content and consider deploying web application firewalls that can detect and filter suspicious SVG elements. Browser security enhancements such as sandboxing and memory protection mechanisms should be enabled to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security updates and the need for organizations to maintain comprehensive patch management processes. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts and implement intrusion detection systems that can identify patterns associated with this specific vulnerability. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of visiting untrusted websites and opening unexpected attachments remains crucial in preventing successful exploitation of this and similar memory safety vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059 technique for command and script injection, as successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution within the browser context.