CVE-2012-0676 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit in Apple Safari before 5.1.7 does not properly track state information during the processing of form input, which allows remote attackers to fill in form fields on the pages of arbitrary web sites via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0676 represents a critical flaw in Apple Safari's WebKit rendering engine that existed prior to version 5.1.7. This security issue stems from inadequate state management during form input processing, creating a scenario where malicious actors can exploit the browser's handling of web forms to manipulate user interactions across different websites. The flaw specifically targets the browser's ability to maintain proper contextual awareness when processing form elements, leading to potential cross-site scripting and form injection attacks. This vulnerability operates at the core of web browser security architecture, affecting how client-side applications manage user input and maintain session state information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves WebKit's failure to properly isolate form state information between different web pages or contexts. When users navigate between websites or encounter forms with specific attributes, the browser should maintain clear boundaries to prevent cross-contamination of form field data. However, in affected versions of Safari, the state tracking mechanism becomes compromised, allowing attackers to inject form data into fields on arbitrary websites. This occurs through unspecified vectors that likely involve manipulation of form element attributes, JavaScript execution contexts, or DOM manipulation techniques that exploit the browser's form processing pipeline. The flaw operates as a state confusion vulnerability where the browser fails to properly distinguish between different form contexts, creating opportunities for malicious data injection.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0676 extends beyond simple data corruption, potentially enabling sophisticated attacks that could compromise user credentials, personal information, or system integrity. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to create malicious websites that automatically populate form fields on legitimate sites, potentially redirecting users to phishing pages or injecting malicious data into sensitive forms. The vulnerability affects users across all operating systems running affected versions of Safari, making it particularly dangerous given Safari's widespread adoption on mac os x platforms. This flaw represents a significant breach in browser security boundaries, as it allows attackers to manipulate user interactions in ways that bypass traditional web security measures and could lead to unauthorized data submission or credential theft.
Organizations and users should immediately update to Safari version 5.1.7 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as no reliable workarounds exist for the underlying state tracking flaw. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-1237, which addresses improper state management in web browsers, and corresponds to techniques found in the attack pattern taxonomy under ATT&CK matrix category T1059 for command and scripting interpreter. System administrators should prioritize patch management for all Safari installations and consider implementing additional security measures such as content security policies, browser security extensions, and user education about suspicious website behavior. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper state management in browser security architectures and highlights how seemingly minor implementation flaws can create substantial security risks in client-side applications.
This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the complex security challenges inherent in modern web browsers where multiple security mechanisms must work in harmony to prevent cross-site manipulation. The flaw's impact extends to web application security models, as it undermines the expected isolation between different browsing contexts and could potentially enable cascading security issues when combined with other browser vulnerabilities. Users should be particularly cautious when navigating between trusted and untrusted websites, as the vulnerability could allow attackers to manipulate form fields even on legitimate sites they trust. The remediation process requires careful attention to ensure complete patch deployment across all affected systems while monitoring for any potential side effects from the security updates.