CVE-2010-2454 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
Apple Safari does not properly manage the address bar between the request to open a URL and the retrieval of the new document s content, which might allow remote attackers to conduct spoofing attacks via a crafted HTML document, a related issue to CVE-2010-1206.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-2454 represents a critical flaw in Apple Safari's handling of address bar management during URL navigation processes. This issue specifically manifests when the browser transitions between initiating a URL request and fully retrieving the document content, creating a temporal window where malicious actors can exploit the inconsistency between the displayed address and the actual content being rendered. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate the address bar display while the page content loads, potentially deceiving users into believing they are visiting a legitimate website when they are actually viewing a maliciously crafted document.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from Safari's improper synchronization between the user interface elements and the underlying network request processing. During the brief interval between when a URL is requested and when the document content is fully retrieved and rendered, the browser's address bar may not accurately reflect the actual destination of the navigation. This creates an opportunity for attackers to craft HTML documents that can manipulate the address bar display while simultaneously loading malicious content from a different source. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the user interface level, making it difficult for users to detect when they are being deceived by the spoofed address.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables sophisticated phishing and social engineering attacks that can bypass traditional security measures. Attackers can create convincing fake login pages or fraudulent websites that appear to be legitimate when viewed in the address bar, while actually delivering malicious content or redirecting users to harmful destinations. The impact extends beyond simple deception as it undermines user trust in the browser's security indicators and can lead to credential theft, malware distribution, and other malicious activities. This vulnerability particularly affects users who rely on address bar verification as a security control mechanism.
The security implications of CVE-2010-2454 align with CWE-352, which addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities, and can be categorized under the ATT&CK framework as a technique for credential access and defense evasion. The vulnerability demonstrates how UI manipulation can be used to bypass user security awareness and create a false sense of security. Organizations should consider this flaw when implementing security policies and user education programs, as it highlights the importance of not solely relying on visual indicators for security validation. The flaw also underscores the necessity of comprehensive browser security testing that includes temporal consistency checks between UI elements and underlying network operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate application of Apple's security patches and updates, implementation of additional network monitoring to detect anomalous URL behavior, and user education about the importance of verifying SSL certificates and website authenticity beyond address bar content. Security teams should also consider implementing browser security extensions that provide additional verification layers and monitor for suspicious address bar manipulations. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that even seemingly minor UI inconsistencies can create significant security risks, particularly in web browsers where user trust and visual verification are critical security controls.