TippingPoint Zero Day Initiative
 

Apple Webkit Recursive Use Element Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

ZDI-10-096: June 8th, 2010

CVE ID

CVSS Score

Affected Vendors

Affected Products

TippingPoint™ IPS Customer Protection

TippingPoint IPS customers are protected against this vulnerability by Digital Vaccine protection filter ID 9849. For further product information on the TippingPoint IPS:

Vulnerability Details

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Apple's Webkit. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.

The specific flaw exists within how the WebKit library handles recursively defined Use elements. Upon expanding the target of the use element within the tree, the application will create a dual-reference of a Use element. Upon page deconstruction the application will destroy the single reference and then attempt to destroy the second one that is currently occupying the recently freed memory. Successful exploitation can lead to code execution under the context of the application.

Vendor Response

Apple has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More details can be found at:

Disclosure Timeline

    2010-02-23 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
    2010-06-08 - Coordinated public release of advisory

Credit

This vulnerability was discovered by:
    wushi of team509