CVE-2010-2659 in Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
Opera before 10.50 on Windows, before 10.52 on Mac OS X, and before 10.60 on UNIX platforms makes widget properties accessible to third-party domains, which allows remote attackers to obtain potentially sensitive information via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-domain access flaw in Opera web browsers across multiple platforms. The issue stems from improper implementation of the widget security model which should prevent third-party domains from accessing widget properties and associated data. When Opera processes web content containing widgets, it fails to properly enforce security boundaries between the widget's internal properties and external domains that may attempt to access them through JavaScript or other scripting mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests in how Opera handles widget objects within its browser environment, specifically in the way it manages access control lists and security contexts. This allows malicious actors to craft web pages that can traverse the security boundaries established by Opera's widget implementation, potentially exposing sensitive information that should remain isolated within the widget's security domain. The vulnerability affects different versions across operating systems with specific patch thresholds indicating the severity of the issue.
Operationally, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to obtain potentially sensitive information through crafted web sites that exploit the cross-domain access flaw. Attackers can leverage this weakness to access widget properties that contain configuration data, user preferences, or other sensitive information that should be protected from external access. The impact is particularly concerning given that Opera was widely used across multiple platforms, increasing the potential attack surface.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically related to improper access control enforcement in web browser environments. From an attacker perspective, this maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter where malicious code can be executed to exploit the access control bypass. The weakness creates a pathway for information disclosure attacks that can be particularly damaging when widgets contain sensitive user data or system configuration information.
Organizations should immediately update to the patched versions of Opera browsers on all affected platforms. The recommended mitigation includes implementing browser security policies that restrict widget access and monitoring for suspicious cross-domain access patterns. Network administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block attempts to exploit this vulnerability through crafted web content. Regular security assessments should verify that widget security configurations are properly enforced across all Opera installations.