CVE-2012-0678 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Apple Safari before 6.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a feed:// URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2017
The CVE-2012-0678 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in Apple Safari browsers prior to version 6.0, fundamentally compromising user security through improper URL handling mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically targets the feed:// URL scheme processing within Safari's browser engine, creating an attack vector that enables remote adversaries to execute malicious code in the context of the victim's browser session. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization when Safari processes feed:// URLs, which are typically used for syndicating content through RSS and Atom feeds. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious feed:// URLs that contain embedded script tags or other HTML content, which then get executed when users navigate to these specially crafted web pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from Safari's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input when handling feed:// URLs, creating a classic XSS attack surface that aligns with CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation. This weakness allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that can execute within the browser's security context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because feed:// URLs are often encountered in legitimate web browsing scenarios, making it difficult for users to distinguish between safe and malicious content. The attack can be delivered through various vectors including compromised websites, malicious advertisements, or phishing emails that contain links to malicious feed:// URLs.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0678 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to user sessions and sensitive data within the Safari browser environment. When exploited, this vulnerability can enable attackers to steal cookies, session tokens, and other authentication credentials that allow them to impersonate legitimate users. The vulnerability also facilitates more sophisticated attacks such as credential harvesting, data exfiltration, and browser-based malware deployment. Users who browse the web regularly and encounter feed:// URLs in legitimate contexts become potential victims, as the attack requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it leverages JavaScript execution within the browser context to carry out malicious activities. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where Safari is widely used and users may access untrusted web content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0678 should prioritize immediate browser updates to Safari 6.0 or later versions, which contain the necessary patches to address the feed:// URL sanitization issues. Organizations should implement comprehensive web filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious feed:// URLs, while also deploying content security policies that limit script execution within browser contexts. Network administrators should monitor for suspicious URL patterns and implement web application firewalls that can identify and prevent XSS attacks targeting feed:// schemes. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding untrusted websites and being cautious when clicking on links, particularly those that appear to come from RSS feeds or other syndicated content sources. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices in web browser implementations, as recommended by OWASP Top Ten and other security standards that emphasize the need for robust sanitization of all user-supplied content.