CVE-2015-3729 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
Apple Safari before 6.2.8, 7.x before 7.1.8, and 8.x before 8.0.8, as used in iOS before 8.4.1 and other products, does not indicate what web site originated an input prompt, which allows remote attackers to conduct spoofing attacks via a crafted site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3729 represents a critical security flaw in Apple Safari web browser implementations across multiple versions including Safari 6.2.7 and earlier, Safari 7.x versions prior to 7.1.8, and Safari 8.x versions before 8.0.8. This issue affects not only the desktop browser but also iOS versions before 8.4.1, creating a widespread impact across Apple's ecosystem. The flaw resides in the browser's handling of input prompts, which are typically used by web applications to request user information such as passwords or usernames through JavaScript's prompt() function.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from Safari's failure to properly display the originating website information when an input prompt is triggered. Normally, when a web page presents an input dialog to a user, the browser should clearly indicate which domain or website is requesting the information. However, in affected versions, this identifying information is either omitted or obscured, making it impossible for users to distinguish between legitimate and malicious prompts. This design flaw creates a significant attack surface for social engineering and phishing operations.
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious websites that present input prompts designed to deceive users into entering sensitive information. The spoofing attack works because users cannot verify the true origin of the prompt, making them susceptible to credential theft and other malicious activities. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-352, which describes Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) and related issues where the browser fails to properly authenticate or identify the source of requests. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which covers Spearphishing Attachments, as users may be tricked into providing information through seemingly legitimate prompts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass broader security implications for users of Apple's ecosystem. Users conducting sensitive online activities such as banking, email access, or corporate network logins become vulnerable to sophisticated social engineering attacks that exploit the browser's trust model. The vulnerability affects both enterprise and individual users, with potential for large-scale credential compromise when attackers deploy malicious sites across multiple domains. Organizations that rely on Safari for business-critical applications face increased risk of data breaches and unauthorized access to sensitive systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate application of Apple's security updates, which were released as part of Safari 6.2.8, 7.1.8, and 8.0.8 releases respectively. Users should also implement additional security measures such as browser extensions that enhance prompt visibility, regular security awareness training to help users recognize potential spoofing attempts, and network monitoring to detect suspicious activities. Organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected Safari versions and ensure all endpoints are properly updated. The remediation process should include verifying that the updates have been successfully applied and monitoring for any continued suspicious behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.