CVE-2011-0223 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Apple Safari before 5.0.6, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via a crafted web site, a different vulnerability than other WebKit CVEs listed in APPLE-SA-2011-07-20-1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0223 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit engine components that were integrated into Apple Safari browser versions prior to 5.0.6. This issue demonstrates the inherent risks associated with complex web rendering engines that process untrusted content from multiple sources. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the WebKit rendering engine, specifically affecting how it handles crafted web content that could trigger unexpected behavior in memory allocation and deallocation processes. Security researchers have classified this as a heap-based buffer overflow condition that occurs when the browser attempts to process malformed web content, leading to unpredictable memory corruption patterns.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of web content that triggers specific parsing sequences within the WebKit engine. Attackers can craft malicious websites containing specially formatted HTML, JavaScript, or CSS elements that, when rendered by the vulnerable Safari browser, cause memory corruption within the browser process. The flaw manifests as a failure in proper bounds checking during memory operations, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with controlled data. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-122 (Heap-based Buffer Overflow) and CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write) classifications, which are commonly exploited in browser-based attack vectors. The memory corruption typically results in application crashes or more severe conditions where attackers can potentially inject and execute arbitrary code within the browser's memory space, effectively gaining control over the user's browsing session.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-0223 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to represent a significant threat to user security and privacy. When successfully exploited, this vulnerability enables remote code execution capabilities that can lead to complete system compromise, especially when combined with other attack vectors or when users are engaged in high-value activities such as online banking, corporate network access, or sensitive data handling. The vulnerability's exploitation timeline is particularly concerning as it affected widely deployed browser versions, providing attackers with substantial window of opportunity for targeting users. The impact is further amplified by the fact that these vulnerabilities often require no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making them particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or drive-by download scenarios. This type of vulnerability is categorized under the ATT&CK framework as T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1071 (Application Layer Protocol) as it leverages web-based delivery mechanisms and command execution capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0223 primarily involve immediate patching and updating of affected Safari browser versions to 5.0.6 or later releases. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser update policies and utilize automated patch management systems to ensure all affected systems receive timely security updates. Network administrators should consider implementing web filtering solutions and browser security extensions that can help detect and block malicious content before it reaches user systems. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping their browsers updated. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and the need for organizations to maintain current threat intelligence feeds to identify and respond to similar vulnerabilities in other browser components or web applications. Security professionals should also consider implementing process isolation techniques and memory protection mechanisms such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention to reduce the impact of potential exploitation attempts.