CVE-2010-3020 in Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
The news-feed preview feature in Opera before 10.61 does not properly remove scripts, which allows remote attackers to force subscriptions to arbitrary feeds via crafted content.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-3020 represents a significant security flaw in Opera web browsers prior to version 10.61, specifically within the news-feed preview functionality. This issue stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied content that is processed through the browser's feed preview mechanism, creating a potential vector for malicious exploitation. The flaw exists in the browser's handling of RSS and Atom feed content, where the preview feature fails to properly strip or neutralize executable script elements that could be embedded within feed data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the browser's feed preview component not adequately filtering or removing script tags, javascript protocols, and other potentially malicious content from feed entries before rendering them for display. Attackers can craft specially designed feed content that includes embedded scripts or malicious links, which when processed through the preview feature, can trigger unintended browser behavior. This particular flaw operates under the principle of cross-site scripting and can be classified as a variant of CWE-79, which deals with cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. The vulnerability allows for a form of automated feed subscription manipulation that can occur without user interaction or explicit consent.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple content display issues, as it enables attackers to perform unauthorized feed subscription actions on behalf of users. When a user encounters a maliciously crafted feed preview, the browser's feed handling mechanism can be exploited to automatically subscribe the user to arbitrary feeds controlled by the attacker. This creates a persistent threat vector where users unknowingly become subscribers to malicious feeds that could redirect them to phishing sites, deliver malware payloads, or simply serve as a vector for tracking user behavior. The attack can be executed through various means including compromised websites, malicious email attachments, or content management systems that display third-party feeds without proper sanitization.
This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and output encoding in web browser security implementations, particularly in features that process external content. The issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploitation of remote services through malicious content delivery, and reflects broader concerns about browser-based attack surfaces. The flaw essentially allows for a form of automated social engineering where users are unknowingly manipulated into subscribing to malicious content through legitimate browser functionality. Organizations and users should consider this vulnerability as part of a larger threat landscape involving browser-based attacks and the need for comprehensive security measures including browser updates, content filtering, and user awareness training. The remediation for this issue required Opera to implement proper script sanitization and content filtering mechanisms within their feed preview feature, ensuring that all external content is properly validated and sanitized before being rendered or processed by the browser's feed handling components.