CVE-2011-0232 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-2011-0232 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit's JavaScript engine implementation that affected Apple Safari versions prior to 5.0.6. This vulnerability operates through a sophisticated attack vector where malicious web content can trigger arbitrary code execution or system instability. The flaw stems from improper memory management during JavaScript object handling, specifically within the garbage collection and memory allocation processes that WebKit employs to manage dynamic web content. Security researchers identified this issue as distinct from other WebKit vulnerabilities documented in APPLE-SA-2011-07-20-1, indicating a unique code path that requires separate remediation efforts. The vulnerability demonstrates the inherent complexity of modern web browsers where JavaScript engines must balance performance optimization with memory safety, creating potential attack surfaces that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized system access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious website loads content that triggers a specific sequence of JavaScript operations causing memory corruption. Attackers can craft web pages containing specially designed JavaScript code that manipulates memory addresses in ways that bypass standard security mechanisms. The flaw typically manifests through heap-based buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions where freed memory blocks are accessed or overwritten, leading to unpredictable behavior. When executed successfully, this vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code within the browser's memory space, potentially escalating privileges and gaining full system control. The memory corruption can also result in application crashes and denial of service conditions, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where browser stability is critical for security operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-0232 extends beyond simple exploitation scenarios to encompass significant risks for enterprise and individual users. Organizations relying on Safari for web browsing operations face potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information when users visit malicious websites. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to target systems, making it particularly dangerous for mobile and enterprise environments where users frequently browse untrusted websites. Security teams must consider this vulnerability as part of their comprehensive threat modeling, especially when evaluating browser-based attack surfaces and implementing defense-in-depth strategies. The flaw's classification under CWE-125 indicates it involves out-of-bounds read operations that can lead to memory corruption, while its relationship to CWE-119 demonstrates the underlying memory safety issues that enable arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript-based execution and T1499.004 for denial of service operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0232 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and browser updates to versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Apple's release of Safari 5.0.6 addressed the vulnerability through enhanced memory management routines and improved JavaScript engine safeguards. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all Safari installations are updated promptly, particularly in environments where users access untrusted web content. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional layers of defense, though these measures are not foolproof against sophisticated attacks. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious JavaScript behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current browser versions and implementing automated update mechanisms to protect against known security flaws. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include evaluation of browser-based attack surfaces to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other components of the web browsing stack.