Apple Webkit Root HTMLBRElement Style Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

March 2nd, 2011
ZDI-11-100 ZDI-CAN-969

CVE ID

CVE-2011-0149

CVSS Score

9.0 AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:P/A:C

Affected Vendors

Apple

Affected Products

WebKit

Vulnerability Details

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Apple's Webkit Library. 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 application parses a specially formatted HTML file. When parsing a particular element that also defines the namespace of the document, the library will call a dangling pointer which is consistent but unmapped. Due to this being unmapped, if an attacker can get code loaded at that address this can can lead to code execution under the context of the application.

Additional Details

Apple has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More details can be found at:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4554

Disclosure Timeline

  • 2010-10-18 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
  • 2011-03-02 - Coordinated public release of advisory

Credit

wushi of team509

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