CVE-2010-1813 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit in Apple iOS before 4.1 on the iPhone and iPod touch allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via vectors involving HTML object outlines.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-1813 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit engine's handling of HTML object outlines in Apple iOS versions prior to 4.1. This issue affects iPhone and iPod touch devices running vulnerable iOS versions, creating a significant security risk that could be exploited remotely by malicious actors. The vulnerability resides in the WebKit rendering engine's processing of HTML object elements, specifically when handling outline attributes that define the visual structure of objects within web pages. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate memory structures through crafted HTML content that triggers improper memory handling during object rendering.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves manipulating HTML object elements with specific outline attributes that cause the WebKit engine to improperly manage memory allocations and deallocations. When the browser encounters malformed or specially crafted HTML object outlines, the memory corruption occurs during the parsing and rendering process, leading to unpredictable behavior that can result in arbitrary code execution or application crashes. This type of memory corruption vulnerability is classified as a buffer overflow or heap corruption issue that falls under CWE-125, which deals with out-of-bounds read conditions. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic example of improper input validation where the WebKit engine fails to properly sanitize or validate the outline attributes of HTML objects before processing them.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1813 extends beyond simple denial of service to include potential remote code execution capabilities that could allow attackers to compromise user devices. When exploited, this vulnerability could enable attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the web browser process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability affects iOS devices that were widely deployed in enterprise and consumer environments, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on mobile device security. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability through phishing emails, malicious websites, or compromised web applications that deliver specially crafted HTML content designed to trigger the memory corruption. The attack surface is particularly broad as it involves standard web browsing activities that users engage in daily, making detection and prevention challenging.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected iOS versions to 4.1 or later, as Apple released security updates specifically addressing this memory corruption issue. Organizations should implement web content filtering solutions that can identify and block malicious HTML content containing suspicious object outline attributes. Network administrators should consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can enforce security policies and ensure timely deployment of security patches. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices in web rendering engines, particularly around memory management and input validation. Security professionals should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and ensure that mobile device security policies include regular security updates and patch management procedures. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for robust input validation and memory safety mechanisms in browser engines, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.003 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to establish persistent access through malicious code execution.