CVE-2010-1814 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit in Apple iOS before 4.1 on the iPhone and iPod touch, and webkitgtk before 1.2.6, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via vectors involving form menus.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1814 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within the WebKit rendering engine that affected Apple iOS versions prior to 4.1 and webkitgtk versions before 1.2.6. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of form menus within web browsers, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit memory management issues that could result in arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The flaw resides in how WebKit processes form elements, particularly menu controls, when rendering web content on affected platforms. Attackers could craft malicious web pages that, when loaded in a vulnerable browser, would trigger memory corruption during form menu operations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and potentially arbitrary code execution. The impact extends beyond simple application crashes to potential system compromise, as the memory corruption could be leveraged to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected browser process. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer over-read scenario where the WebKit engine fails to properly validate the bounds of form menu data structures during rendering operations. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers scripting languages, as attackers could utilize web-based payloads to exploit this memory corruption. The affected iOS devices include iPhone and iPod touch models running iOS versions before 4.1, making a significant user base vulnerable to exploitation. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to devices, as they can deliver malicious payloads through compromised websites or malicious advertisements that users might visit. The exploitation of this vulnerability could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to device resources, potentially leading to data theft, persistent access, or further system compromise. The memory corruption occurs during the processing of form menus, which are common elements in web applications, making this attack vector particularly dangerous as it could be triggered by visiting any web page containing malicious form elements. The vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in WebKit's memory management during form element rendering, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in mobile environments where users frequently browse the web and may encounter malicious content without proper security awareness. The lack of proper input validation in form menu processing creates an attack surface that can be exploited through web-based delivery mechanisms, aligning with common attack patterns described in various threat intelligence reports. Security researchers have documented similar vulnerabilities in WebKit's form handling components, emphasizing the need for comprehensive memory safety checks in browser rendering engines. The remediation for this vulnerability required Apple to release iOS 4.1, which included patches to the WebKit engine's form menu processing code. The fix implemented proper bounds checking and memory validation during form menu operations to prevent the memory corruption that enabled arbitrary code execution. Organizations affected by this vulnerability needed to ensure immediate deployment of iOS 4.1 updates across all affected devices, as the window for exploitation remained significant due to the remote nature of the attack vector. The vulnerability also highlighted the importance of keeping web browser components updated, particularly in mobile environments where users may not regularly update their operating systems. Security professionals recommended implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering to mitigate the risk while waiting for device updates. The incident underscored the critical nature of browser security in mobile platforms, where the convergence of web technologies and mobile computing creates unique attack surfaces that require continuous monitoring and updating. This vulnerability exemplifies how seemingly mundane web elements like form menus can become critical security entry points when proper memory safety controls are absent from browser rendering engines. The attack vector demonstrates the complexity of modern browser security, where vulnerabilities can be triggered by legitimate web content and exploited without user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The remediation process highlighted the importance of coordinated vulnerability disclosure and timely patch deployment in maintaining mobile device security. This vulnerability also reinforced the need for comprehensive security testing of browser rendering engines, particularly focusing on memory management and input validation in commonly used web elements. The exploitation of this vulnerability could potentially be chained with other attacks to create more sophisticated exploitation scenarios, emphasizing the need for layered security approaches in mobile environments.