CVE-2010-3804 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
The JavaScript implementation in WebKit in Apple Safari before 5.0.3 on Mac OS X 10.5 through 10.6 and Windows, and before 4.1.3 on Mac OS X 10.4, uses a weak algorithm for generating values of random numbers, which makes it easier for remote attackers to track a user by predicting a value, a related issue to CVE-2008-5913 and CVE-2010-3171.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-3804 represents a critical weakness in the WebKit JavaScript engine implementation within Apple Safari browsers across multiple operating systems. This issue specifically targets the random number generation algorithm used by the browser's JavaScript engine, which operates at a fundamental level that affects how web applications can track user behavior. The weakness stems from the use of a predictable pseudo-random number generator that fails to meet the cryptographic security standards required for maintaining user privacy and anonymity online.
The technical flaw manifests in the way Safari's JavaScript engine generates random values, which are commonly used for tracking purposes in web applications. When browsers utilize weak random number generators, they create predictable sequences that can be reverse-engineered by malicious actors. This vulnerability particularly affects versions of Safari running on Mac OS X 10.5 through 10.6 and Windows platforms, as well as older Mac OS X 10.4 systems. The impact extends beyond simple tracking since these predictable values can be exploited to correlate user sessions across different websites, effectively breaking the anonymity that users expect when browsing the internet.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant privacy risks for users who believe they are browsing anonymously or who rely on web applications that use random values for session management. Attackers can exploit this weakness to track user behavior across multiple websites, potentially linking seemingly unrelated browsing sessions to a single individual. The vulnerability's relationship to CVE-2008-5913 and CVE-2010-3171 demonstrates a pattern of weak random number generation in browser implementations, indicating that this was not an isolated incident but rather a systemic issue affecting the underlying cryptographic foundations of web browser security. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the principle of user privacy and can be categorized under CWE-330, which addresses the use of insufficiently random values in security contexts.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3804 primarily involve updating Safari to versions that address the weak random number generation algorithm. Apple released Safari 5.0.3 for Mac OS X 10.5 through 10.6 and Safari 4.1.3 for Mac OS X 10.4 to resolve this issue. Users should also consider implementing additional privacy measures such as using privacy-focused browsers, enabling privacy protection extensions, and regularly updating their software to address similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework would classify this vulnerability under the T1566 category, which deals with credential access through social engineering techniques that exploit predictable patterns in system behavior, though this particular vulnerability is more specifically about predictable random number generation rather than social engineering directly. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure that their browser security policies include regular updates and patch management procedures to prevent such tracking vulnerabilities from being exploited in enterprise environments.