CVE-2010-4580 in Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
Opera before 11.00 does not clear WAP WML form fields after manual navigation to a new web site, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via an input field that has the same name as an input field on a previously visited web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4580 represents a critical information disclosure flaw in Opera web browsers prior to version 11.00. This security issue stems from improper handling of form field data during navigation between web pages, specifically affecting WAP WML (Wireless Markup Language) form elements. The flaw occurs when users navigate manually to a new website, leaving sensitive data from previous form fields accessible in memory or cache, creating a persistent exposure vector for attackers.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the browser's failure to properly sanitize or clear WAP WML form field data during navigation events. When a user visits a website containing form fields and then manually navigates to a different site, the browser retains certain form field information in memory or temporary storage. This retention occurs even when the user has explicitly moved to a new domain or website context. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to craft malicious web pages that can access these retained form field values through cross-site scripting or similar techniques.
This flaw directly relates to CWE-200, which describes "Information Exposure Through Output Using User-Filled Data" and CWE-204, "Information Exposure Through Discrepancy in Field Values." The vulnerability enables attackers to exploit the browser's inconsistent handling of form data across different navigation contexts, potentially allowing them to access sensitive information such as passwords, personal identification numbers, or other confidential data that was previously entered into form fields. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it requires no special privileges or complex exploitation techniques, relying instead on the browser's inherent memory management shortcomings.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft, session hijacking, or targeted data exfiltration. Attackers can leverage this flaw by creating malicious web pages that contain form fields with identical names to those previously encountered on legitimate sites. When users navigate from a legitimate site to the malicious one, the retained form field data becomes accessible through JavaScript or other client-side techniques, providing attackers with sensitive information that would normally be protected by proper browser isolation mechanisms. This vulnerability particularly affects users who frequently navigate between multiple websites, as the risk increases with each navigation event.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Opera version 11.00 or later, which includes proper form field clearing mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing additional browser hardening measures such as disabling WAP WML support in web applications and ensuring proper form field sanitization practices. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1555.003, "Credentials from Password Stores," as it enables attackers to access stored credential information through browser memory manipulation. Additionally, network administrators should monitor for suspicious navigation patterns and implement web application firewalls that can detect and block attempts to exploit this type of information disclosure vulnerability. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper memory management and data isolation in web browser implementations, particularly when handling user input across different contexts and domains.