CVE-2010-3796 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Safari RSS in Apple Mac OS X 10.5.8 and 10.6.x before 10.6.5 does not block Java applets in an RSS feed, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a feed: URL containing an applet that performs DOM modifications.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-3796 represents a significant security flaw in Apple Mac OS X operating systems, specifically affecting Safari's RSS feed handling capabilities. This issue stems from the browser's failure to properly sandbox or block Java applets within RSS feed content, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited by remote adversaries. The vulnerability affects versions 10.5.8 and 10.6.x prior to 10.6.5, indicating a widespread impact across multiple system releases during that period.
The technical flaw manifests in Safari's RSS feed processing mechanism where the browser fails to implement adequate security controls to prevent Java applets from executing within the context of RSS feed content. When a user subscribes to an RSS feed containing a malicious Java applet embedded in the feed: URL, the applet can execute with the privileges of the browser, potentially allowing attackers to perform DOM modifications that could expose sensitive information. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of web content isolation and privilege separation that are essential for protecting users from malicious web content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to leverage the trust relationship between users and RSS feeds to execute malicious code. The ability to perform DOM modifications through embedded Java applets could potentially allow attackers to harvest user credentials, access local system information, or manipulate the browser's rendering environment in ways that compromise user security. This vulnerability particularly affects users who rely on RSS feeds for news and information, as simply viewing a compromised feed could result in unauthorized access to sensitive data. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal user interaction beyond normal RSS feed consumption, making it a stealthy method for information gathering.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-1004 which addresses insecure default configurations and CWE-94 which covers improper control of generation of code, as the browser's default behavior of allowing Java applets in RSS feeds represents an insecure configuration that could be exploited. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and control through web-based protocols and privilege escalation through browser exploitation, as attackers can leverage the browser's trust relationship with RSS feeds to execute malicious code. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics related to social engineering attacks, as users may not realize they are being exposed to malicious content through seemingly benign RSS feed consumption.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of Apple's security patches, which would address the improper handling of Java applets in RSS feeds. System administrators should also implement network-level filtering to block potentially malicious RSS feed content and consider disabling RSS feed functionality in Safari until proper security controls are in place. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of subscribing to untrusted RSS feeds and the importance of keeping operating systems updated should be emphasized. Organizations should also implement security monitoring to detect unusual network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability could be used in targeted attacks against specific user groups. The patching strategy should include not only immediate deployment but also verification that the security controls are properly implemented across all affected systems in the organization's infrastructure.