CVE-2011-1774 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit in Apple Safari before 5.0.6 has improper libxslt security settings, which allows remote attackers to create arbitrary files, and consequently execute arbitrary code, via a crafted web site. NOTE: this may overlap CVE-2011-1425.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-1774 represents a critical security flaw in Apple Safari's WebKit rendering engine that existed prior to version 5.0.6. This issue stems from improper security configurations within the libxslt library integration, which is a crucial component responsible for processing XML documents and transforming them through XSLT stylesheets. The flaw specifically affects how Safari handles XSLT transformations when processing web content, creating a dangerous pathway for remote code execution through malicious web pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the libxslt library's insufficient validation of file paths and permissions during XSLT processing operations. When Safari encounters XSLT content on a web page, the underlying libxslt library fails to properly restrict file system access and creation operations. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious web pages that contain specially designed XSLT transformations which, when processed by Safari, can create arbitrary files on the victim's system. This file creation capability serves as the initial foothold for more sophisticated attacks, as it enables attackers to place malicious executables or scripts in locations where they can be executed with the privileges of the browser process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass a complete compromise of user systems. The flaw allows attackers to perform file system operations that could include creating malicious executables, modifying system files, or establishing persistent backdoors. The security implications are particularly severe because this vulnerability operates entirely within the browser context, meaning users can be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites or viewing crafted content. The attack surface is broad as it affects any user browsing the web with an affected Safari version, making it an attractive target for widespread exploitation campaigns.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and represents a classic example of how library integration security flaws can create critical system vulnerabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving exploitation of known vulnerabilities and privilege escalation through browser-based attacks. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly isolated library components can create cascading security issues when proper input validation and access control mechanisms are missing. The overlap with CVE-2011-1425 indicates that this represents a broader class of vulnerabilities affecting XSLT processing in web browsers, highlighting the need for comprehensive security reviews of third-party library integrations in browser engines. Organizations should prioritize patching affected Safari installations and implement additional security measures such as web application firewalls and browser hardening configurations to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
This vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of proper security controls in complex software ecosystems where multiple libraries and components interact. The flaw demonstrates how security issues in supporting libraries can have devastating consequences for end-user systems when proper sandboxing and access controls are not implemented. The remediation strategy should focus on immediate patch deployment, along with ongoing monitoring for similar vulnerabilities in other browser components and third-party libraries.