CVE-2016-7650 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 10.2 is affected. Safari before 10.0.2 is affected. The issue involves the "Safari Reader" component, which allows remote attackers to conduct UXSS attacks via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7650 represents a significant security flaw within Apple's Safari browser ecosystem, specifically affecting iOS versions prior to 10.2 and Safari versions before 10.0.2. This weakness resides within the Safari Reader component, which is designed to provide users with a cleaner reading experience by stripping away advertisements and clutter from web pages. The issue enables remote attackers to execute cross-site scripting attacks through maliciously crafted websites, exploiting a fundamental flaw in how the Reader component processes web content. The vulnerability demonstrates the inherent risks associated with complex web browser components that handle user-generated content and third-party data processing.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the Safari Reader's content processing mechanisms to inject malicious scripts that can execute in the context of the user's browsing session. The flaw allows attackers to bypass standard security boundaries that typically protect against cross-site scripting attacks, enabling them to manipulate the browser's rendering engine and execute arbitrary code within the privileged context of the Safari application. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a client-side attack vector that can be amplified through the Reader component's handling of web content. The attack requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous as it can be delivered through phishing campaigns or compromised legitimate websites.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7650 extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it provides attackers with a foothold that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the user's browsing environment. The vulnerability enables unauthorized access to sensitive user data, including cookies, saved passwords, and potentially personal information that users might have entered into web forms. Attackers can use this exploit to establish persistent access to user accounts, monitor browsing activities, and potentially escalate privileges within the browser sandbox. This vulnerability directly maps to the attack technique described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting the browser's scripting capabilities. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Safari Reader is a commonly used feature that users frequently engage with, making the attack vector highly accessible.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve updating affected systems to the patched versions of iOS and Safari that address the underlying code processing issues within the Reader component. Users should immediately upgrade to iOS 10.2 or later and Safari 10.0.2 or later to eliminate the exploitability of this vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected devices receive updates promptly. Additional protective measures include disabling the Safari Reader feature for users who do not require it, implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injections, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications to identify potential exploitation vectors. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web browser components, as recommended by the OWASP Top Ten security framework. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and establish incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts.