CVE-2010-3816 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability 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, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via vectors involving scrollbars.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2021
The CVE-2010-3816 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw within WebKit's implementation in Apple Safari browsers across multiple operating systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of scrollbar elements within the browser's rendering engine, creating a scenario where memory that has been freed is subsequently accessed by malicious code. The flaw exists in 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 CWE-416 category of Use After Free, which is classified as a common weakness in software development practices where programs attempt to access memory after it has been freed, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential security exploitation.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs when malicious web content triggers specific interactions with scrollbar elements that cause the WebKit engine to improperly manage memory allocation and deallocation. When a webpage contains crafted content that manipulates scrollbar behavior, the browser's memory management system can be tricked into accessing freed memory locations, which may contain corrupted data or be overwritten by other processes. This memory corruption can be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process, effectively providing a remote code execution vector. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-3816 extends beyond simple application crashes, presenting significant security risks to users of affected Safari versions. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to systems, install malware, or perform other malicious activities. The vulnerability affects a wide range of operating systems and browser versions, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple operating systems and browser versions may be in use. The use-after-free nature of the vulnerability means that exploitation can result in either remote code execution or denial of service conditions, both of which can severely impact system availability and security. Organizations running affected Safari versions face potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information, as the vulnerability can be exploited through standard web browsing without user interaction.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3816 primarily focus on immediate patching and updating of affected Safari versions to their secure releases. System administrators should prioritize updating all affected Safari installations to versions 5.0.3 or later on Mac OS X 10.5 through 10.6, and 4.1.3 or later on Mac OS X 10.4. Additional protective measures include implementing web content filtering solutions, enabling sandboxing features within the browser, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities for remote code execution, and demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions as a primary defense mechanism. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening practices, such as disabling unnecessary browser features, restricting JavaScript execution, and employing security-focused browser configurations to reduce the attack surface and potential impact of such vulnerabilities.