CVE-2017-2389 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 10.3 is affected. Safari before 10.1 is affected. The issue involves the "Safari" component. It allows remote attackers to spoof an HTTP authentication sheet or cause a denial of service via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2389 represents a significant security flaw within Apple's Safari web browser implementation that affected iOS versions prior to 10.3 and Safari versions prior to 10.1. This issue resides within the Safari component of Apple's mobile and desktop operating systems, specifically targeting the handling of HTTP authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of authentication prompts that could be manipulated by malicious web servers to present deceptive user interface elements. Security researchers identified that the flaw allowed attackers to exploit the browser's authentication dialog handling, potentially enabling man-in-the-middle attacks or social engineering campaigns where users might be misled into providing credentials to malicious actors. The technical nature of this vulnerability places it within the scope of CWE-611 Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference, as it involves improper handling of external entity references in the authentication context, though more specifically relates to user interface deception mechanisms. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it also provides a pathway for denial of service attacks by manipulating the browser's authentication handling routines. Attackers could craft malicious websites that would present forged authentication dialogs that appear legitimate to users, potentially capturing sensitive information or disrupting normal browser operations. This flaw demonstrates the critical importance of proper user interface validation in security-sensitive contexts, as the deception occurs at the presentation layer rather than through traditional network protocol manipulation. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.002 for credential access through phishing and T1499.004 for denial of service through resource exhaustion. The exploitation requires no special privileges and can be executed through standard web browsing activities, making it particularly dangerous as it targets user trust in the browser's authentication interface. The issue highlights the complexity of modern web security where vulnerabilities can emerge from seemingly benign user interface elements rather than core protocol implementations. Apple's response included updating the Safari browser and iOS operating system to address the authentication prompt handling, ensuring that the browser properly validates the authenticity of authentication requests. This vulnerability serves as a reminder that security considerations must extend beyond network-level protections to include user interaction elements that could be manipulated to compromise user security. The remediation efforts required users to update their systems to versions that properly validate HTTP authentication prompts, preventing the spoofing behavior that made this vulnerability exploitable. Organizations implementing security measures should consider the broader implications of user interface security, as this vulnerability demonstrates how deceptive interfaces can bypass traditional security controls and user awareness training. The flaw represents a classic example of how browser-based vulnerabilities can be leveraged for both credential theft and service disruption, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing of user-facing components.