CVE-2014-1369 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit in Apple Safari before 6.1.5 and 7.x before 7.0.5 allows user-assisted remote attackers to access file: URLs by leveraging a URL drag operation that originates at a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2022
This vulnerability resides in the WebKit rendering engine used by Apple Safari browsers, specifically affecting versions prior to 6.1.5 and 7.x before 7.0.5. The flaw represents a critical security issue that undermines the browser's security model by enabling unauthorized file access through a sophisticated user-assisted attack vector. The vulnerability exploits a weakness in how Safari handles URL drag operations, allowing malicious websites to manipulate the browser's file access mechanisms. This represents a classic sandbox escape scenario where an attacker can bypass normal security boundaries to access local file system resources that should remain protected from web content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a URL drag operation that originates from a malicious website and manipulates the browser's handling of file: URLs. When a user interacts with a crafted web page, the browser's drag and drop functionality can be leveraged to trigger access to local files that would normally be restricted. This occurs because the WebKit engine fails to properly validate or sanitize the URL parameters during drag operations, allowing crafted file: URLs to be processed with elevated privileges. The vulnerability specifically targets the browser's security model that should prevent web content from accessing local file systems, creating an unauthorized access path that bypasses normal security controls. This type of flaw falls under CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and more specifically aligns with CWE-20, representing input validation vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to access sensitive local files that may contain personal data, credentials, or system configuration information. An attacker could potentially access user documents, browser cache files, or other locally stored sensitive information through this vector. The user-assisted nature of the attack means that victims must interact with a malicious website, typically through clicking on a specially crafted link or drag operation, but once triggered, the attack can access files on the victim's local system without requiring additional privileges or system-level access. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the trusted browser environment, making it difficult to detect and mitigate. The attack can be executed through various methods including malicious web pages, social engineering campaigns, or phishing attacks that lure users into interacting with compromised content.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability focus on immediate software updates to the affected Safari versions, as Apple released patches for both the 6.x and 7.x release lines. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Browser security configurations should include additional restrictions on drag operations and URL handling, though these measures may impact legitimate functionality. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect suspicious URL patterns or drag operations that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security awareness training for users remains critical, as the attack requires user interaction and social engineering elements to be successful. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include web application firewalls, content filtering, and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other browser components or web applications. This type of vulnerability also highlights the need for continuous security testing and validation of browser security models against known attack patterns.