CVE-2010-3810 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
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, does not properly handle the History object, which allows remote attackers to spoof the location bar s URL or add URLs to the history via a cross-origin attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-3810 represents a significant security flaw in Apple Safari's WebKit rendering engine that affected multiple operating system versions. This issue stems from improper handling of the History object within the browser's JavaScript API, creating a cross-origin attack vector that could be exploited by remote adversaries. The flaw specifically impacts Safari versions prior to 5.0.3 on Mac OS X 10.5 through 10.6 and Windows platforms, as well as versions before 4.1.3 on Mac OS X 10.4. The vulnerability falls under the category of browser security flaws that compromise user trust and navigation integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the browser's history object through cross-origin requests, enabling them to spoof the location bar URL or add arbitrary URLs to the browser's history. This occurs because WebKit fails to properly validate or sanitize cross-origin access to the History object, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject false navigation entries. The flaw essentially permits an attacker's domain to manipulate the browser's navigation history, making it appear as though users are visiting legitimate websites when they are actually being redirected to malicious content. This cross-origin manipulation bypasses normal browser security boundaries and represents a fundamental flaw in the implementation of the History API.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it enables sophisticated phishing attacks and social engineering campaigns that can deceive users into believing they are navigating legitimate websites. Attackers could craft malicious web pages that manipulate the browser's address bar to display trusted domain names while actually loading malicious content from different origins. This capability undermines user confidence in browser navigation and creates opportunities for credential theft, malware distribution, and other malicious activities. The vulnerability particularly affects users who rely on visual cues from the address bar for security verification, making it a serious concern for enterprise and individual users alike.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3810 primarily involve updating Safari to the patched versions that properly handle the History object and implement proper cross-origin restrictions. System administrators should ensure all affected Safari installations are upgraded to versions 5.0.3 or later for Mac OS X 10.5 through 10.6, and 4.1.3 or later for Mac OS X 10.4. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of verifying URL authenticity. Organizations can implement browser security policies that enforce regular updates and monitor for vulnerable browser versions. From a security framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and CWE-352 (Cross-Site Request Forgery) categories, and represents a technique that could be mapped to ATT&CK tactic TA0001 (Initial Access) through the exploitation of browser vulnerabilities for phishing campaigns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cross-origin resource sharing controls and history management in web browser implementations to maintain user trust and security boundaries.