CVE-2012-3715 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
Apple Safari before 6.0.1 makes http requests for https URIs in certain circumstances involving a paste into the address bar, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by sniffing the network.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3715 represents a critical security flaw in Apple Safari web browser versions prior to 6.0.1 that exposes users to potential information disclosure attacks through improper handling of protocol transitions. This issue specifically manifests when users paste URLs containing https schemes into the browser address bar, creating a scenario where the browser inadvertently makes unencrypted http requests for resources that should remain secure under the https protocol. The flaw stems from Safari's inadequate validation of URI schemes during address bar input processing, allowing malicious actors to exploit this behavior for network sniffing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a protocol confusion attack where the browser's address bar parsing mechanism fails to properly enforce the security context of https URIs. When a user pastes an https URL into Safari's address bar, the browser processes the input without adequately verifying that the intended protocol remains consistent throughout the navigation process. This creates a window where the browser may initiate http requests for resources that should be accessed over secure connections, effectively bypassing the intended encryption and authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and specifically relates to improper handling of protocol transitions in web browsers. This behavior aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.001 for application layer protocol usage, where attackers exploit web browser vulnerabilities to manipulate network communications.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-3715 is significant as it enables user-assisted remote attackers to conduct passive network monitoring and information interception attacks. Attackers can position themselves on the same network segment as the victim and utilize packet sniffing tools to capture the unencrypted http requests that result from the browser's faulty protocol handling. This allows them to obtain sensitive information such as session cookies, authentication tokens, and potentially other confidential data that would normally be protected by https encryption. The attack requires minimal user interaction beyond the simple act of pasting a URL into the address bar, making it particularly dangerous as it can be executed without the victim's awareness. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in browser security architecture where the transition between secure and insecure protocols is not properly enforced during user input processing.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate upgrade to Safari version 6.0.1 or later, which implements proper protocol validation and enforcement mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous protocol transitions and alert administrators to potential exploitation attempts. Browser security policies should include regular updates and patch management procedures to ensure all clients maintain current security protections. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of pasting URLs from untrusted sources into browser address bars, as the vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering attacks that trick users into pasting malicious URLs. Network administrators should deploy intrusion detection systems that monitor for unusual patterns of http requests originating from https contexts, providing an additional layer of defense against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and protocol enforcement in web browser implementations, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing of user interaction mechanisms that handle sensitive data.