CVE-2010-1796 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
The AutoFill feature 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, allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive Address Book Card information via JavaScript code that forces keystroke events for input fields.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1796 represents a critical security flaw in Apple Safari's AutoFill functionality that existed across multiple operating system versions. This issue specifically affects Safari browsers running on Mac OS X versions 10.4 through 10.6 and Windows platforms, with the vulnerability persisting until the release of Safari 5.0.1 for Mac OS X and 4.1.1 for Mac OS X 10.4. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and event handling mechanisms within the browser's AutoFill implementation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the feature's design.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through sophisticated JavaScript code that manipulates the browser's input field handling capabilities. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that programmatically force keystroke events against input fields, effectively bypassing normal user interaction constraints. This technique leverages the browser's AutoFill feature to automatically populate form fields with saved Address Book Card information, which includes sensitive personal data such as names, email addresses, phone numbers, and physical addresses. The flaw operates at the intersection of browser security boundaries where legitimate AutoFill functionality becomes a vector for information disclosure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, representing a significant privacy breach that could enable identity theft, social engineering attacks, and targeted phishing campaigns. When users visit compromised websites, the malicious JavaScript code can silently extract their Address Book information without their knowledge or consent, creating a persistent threat that undermines user trust in the browser's security model. The vulnerability particularly affects users who rely heavily on Safari's AutoFill feature, as the attack requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious site, making it particularly dangerous in phishing scenarios where attackers can craft convincing deceptive pages.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and demonstrates how browser features designed for convenience can become security risks when proper input validation and event handling are not implemented. The attack pattern corresponds to techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under T1566, specifically "Phishing" and related information gathering activities. The flaw represents a classic example of how seemingly benign browser features can be weaponized through JavaScript manipulation, highlighting the importance of considering all possible attack vectors in browser security design.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate browser updates to patched versions, as Apple released Safari updates addressing the specific AutoFill event handling issues. System administrators should implement browser security policies that restrict AutoFill functionality in high-risk environments and consider deploying content filtering solutions to detect and block malicious JavaScript patterns. Users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping browsers updated. Additionally, security researchers and organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of browser features to identify similar design flaws that could create information disclosure opportunities. The incident underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of browser features and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all platform versions.