Microsoft Vulnerability Research Advisory MSVR11-009

Vulnerability in Apple Safari Could Allow Information Disclosure

Published: August 16, 2011

Version: 1.0

Overview

Executive Summary

Microsoft is providing notification of the discovery and remediation of a vulnerability affecting Apple Safari version 5.05 and earlier. Microsoft discovered and disclosed the vulnerability under coordinated vulnerability disclosure to the affected vendor, Apple Inc. Apple Inc. has remediated the vulnerability in Safari.

A vulnerability exists in the way Safari handles certain content types. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to cause Safari to execute script content and disclose potentially sensitive information. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability would gain sensitive information that could be used in further attacks.

Microsoft Vulnerability Research reported this issue to and coordinated with Apple to ensure remediation of this issue. The vulnerability has been assigned the entry, CVE-2010-1420, in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list. For more information, including information about updates from Apple, see Apple Safari Security Alerts.

Mitigating Factors

• In a Web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a Web site that contains a Web page that is used to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised Web sites and Web sites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit these Web sites. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to visit the Web site, typically by getting them to click a link in an e-mail message or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's Web site.
• The vulnerability cannot be exploited automatically through e-mail. For an attack to be successful, an attacker must convince a user to click a link in an e-mail message that takes users to the attacker's Web site.

Advisory Details

Purpose and Recommendation

Purpose of Advisory: To notify users of a vulnerability and its remediation.

Advisory Status: Advisory published.

Recommendation: Review the Suggested Actions section and configure as appropriate.

Issue References

For more information about this issue, see the following references:

Affected and Non-Affected Software

This advisory discusses the following software.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scope of this advisory?
This advisory is part of a coordinated release with affected vendors to inform customers of a security issue that may affect their systems.

Is this a security vulnerability that requires Microsoft to issue a security update?
No. This vulnerability has been fixed via an update from the affected third-party vendors. The update remediates the software listed in the table, Affected Software.

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is an information disclosure vulnerability. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could potentially gain sensitive information that could be used in further attacks.

What causes the vulnerability?
The vulnerability exists in the way that Safari handles certain content types in Web pages. The vulnerability could cause Safari to execute script content and expose sensitive user data.

What might an attacker use this vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain sensitive user information that could be used in further attacks.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
Exploitation of this vulnerability requires that a user visit a Web site that contains a specially crafted file with an affected version of Safari.

In a Web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a Web site that contains a specially crafted file that is used to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised Web sites and Web sites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit these Web sites. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to visit the Web site, typically by getting them to click a link in an e-mail message or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's Web site.

In an e-mail attack scenario, the attacker must convince a user to click a link in an e-mail message that takes users to the attacker's Web site.

When this advisory was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
No. Microsoft reported this vulnerability to the affected third-party vendor through coordinated vulnerability disclosure.

When this advisory was issued, had Microsoft received any reports that this vulnerability was being exploited?
No. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers when this advisory was originally issued.

Suggested Actions

Upgrade to a version that is not affected by this vulnerability. For more information, including information about updates from Apple, see Apple Safari Security Alerts.

Acknowledgments

Microsoft thanks the following:

• Hidetake Jo of Microsoft for discovering this issue and the team at Apple for working toward a resolution.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this advisory is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Microsoft disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers be liable for any damages whatsoever including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, loss of business profits or special damages, even if Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages so the foregoing limitation may not apply.

Revisions

• V1.0 (August 16, 2011): Advisory published.

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