CVE-2011-1797 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 • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1797 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit's JavaScript engine that affected Apple Safari versions prior to 5.0.6. This issue demonstrates how browser rendering engines can be exploited through carefully crafted web content to achieve remote code execution or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability specifically resides in the way WebKit processes certain JavaScript constructs, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures through malicious web pages.
This memory corruption vulnerability operates through a sophisticated exploitation technique that leverages JavaScript engine internals to overwrite memory regions with malicious payloads. The flaw manifests when the browser encounters specially crafted JavaScript code that triggers an out-of-bounds memory access or heap corruption during script execution. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition, though it manifests more broadly as a general memory corruption issue that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The attack vector requires a user to visit a malicious website, making it a classic client-side exploitation scenario that bypasses traditional network-level security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes to enable full remote code execution capabilities. When successfully exploited, attackers can gain complete control over the victim's browser session and potentially the underlying operating system, depending on the execution environment. The vulnerability affects not just Safari but any application that relies on the WebKit rendering engine for web content display, including various iOS applications and other Apple products that utilize WebKit components. This makes it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged across multiple platforms and applications that share the same underlying web engine infrastructure.
Security researchers have documented similar patterns in other WebKit vulnerabilities, with this particular flaw exhibiting characteristics consistent with JavaScript engine exploitation techniques that target memory management functions. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would place it within the Execution and Privilege Escalation domains, as it enables arbitrary code execution that can potentially escalate privileges. Mitigation strategies include immediate patching of affected Safari versions to 5.0.6 or later, implementing browser security features such as sandboxing, and deploying content security policies that restrict script execution from untrusted sources. Additionally, users should maintain awareness of phishing attempts that may deliver malicious web content and organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious JavaScript patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping browser components updated and demonstrates how complex JavaScript engines can contain multiple attack surfaces that require continuous security monitoring and patch management processes.