CVE-2010-2576 in Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
Opera before 10.61 does not properly suppress clicks on download dialogs that became visible after a recent tab change, which allows remote attackers to conduct clickjacking attacks, and consequently execute arbitrary code, via vectors involving (1) closing a tab or (2) hiding a tab, a related issue to CVE-2005-2407.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-2576 represents a significant clickjacking flaw in Opera web browsers prior to version 10.61. This security weakness stems from the browser's improper handling of download dialog visibility states following tab navigation changes, creating a dangerous condition where malicious actors can exploit user interactions to execute unauthorized actions. The vulnerability specifically affects the browser's user interface behavior when transitioning between tabs, particularly when tabs are closed or hidden, leaving download dialogs in a state where they can be manipulated through deceptive user interface techniques.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in Opera's failure to properly manage the click event handling for download dialogs that appear after tab switching operations. When a user navigates between tabs and download dialogs become visible, the browser does not adequately suppress or handle click events that would normally be blocked or ignored. This creates a window where attackers can craft malicious web pages that overlay legitimate browser elements with invisible or transparent layers designed to capture user clicks. The flaw operates under the principle that when users switch tabs and download dialogs appear, these dialogs should not respond to user interactions in ways that could be exploited by attackers who control the content of other tabs.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables sophisticated clickjacking attacks that can lead to arbitrary code execution on affected systems. Attackers can construct malicious web pages that exploit the timing window between tab changes and dialog visibility, allowing them to perform unauthorized actions such as downloading malware, executing scripts, or manipulating browser state. The attack vectors specifically involve tab closing and tab hiding operations, which create the conditions where download dialogs remain in a vulnerable state. This represents a serious threat to user security as it can be exploited without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond normal browsing behavior.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple clickjacking to potentially enable complete system compromise through the execution of arbitrary code. When combined with other attack techniques, such as social engineering or exploitation of additional browser vulnerabilities, this flaw can serve as a critical entry point for attackers seeking to gain unauthorized access to user systems. The vulnerability's relationship to CVE-2005-2407 demonstrates a pattern of similar issues in browser security where tab management and dialog handling create exploitable conditions. This weakness aligns with common attack patterns documented in the attack technique framework, specifically relating to techniques that manipulate user interface elements to capture user interactions. The vulnerability also maps to CWE-200, which covers information exposure, and CWE-346, which addresses origin validation failures, as the flaw involves improper validation of user interaction contexts and information exposure through manipulated UI states.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability require immediate browser updates to version 10.61 or later, which properly implements click suppression mechanisms for download dialogs during tab navigation events. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser security policies that include regular update schedules and user education about the risks of visiting untrusted websites. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing network-level protections such as content filtering and web application firewalls to reduce the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper user interface event handling in web browsers and demonstrates how seemingly minor issues in tab management can create significant security risks. Users should be advised to maintain current browser versions and avoid visiting untrusted websites that may attempt to exploit such vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include verification that download dialog suppression mechanisms are properly functioning and that tab navigation events do not leave UI elements in exploitable states.