Saturday, May 25, 2013

New iPhone Safari remote execution DoS exploit locks up your iPhone by simply visiting a malicious page

March 18, 2008 by David  

 



iPhone is supposed to be a pretty secure platform — or so Apple tried to design it. However, nothing is perfect. And so, yet another “iPhone compatible” Safari exploit has been discovered, which is actually more dangerous on your iPhone or iPod Touch than on the computer. When executed it either locks up your iPhone/iPod Touch, or crashes the Safari browser on your Mac/PC computer (you decide which is worse).

This is not an entirely new code; apparently, it was refined from a previously discovered exploit. But as opposed to the exploit that we previously covered, there’s no need to press any buttons — your iPhone will lock up after simply visiting a page that contains the malicious code in question. As such, this can be classified as remote execution DoS vulnerability, which is already a notch above the previously discovered exploit.

The vulnerability was tested and found to be working with iPhone firmware v1.1.4 on our side, but it’s more than likely that it will crash older firmware versions of iPhone as well (please leave us a comment if you’ll test it with some previous firmware versions).

As usual, this exploit cannot be fixed until Apple releases the next firmware upgrade — so your only solution to it for now is to disable JavaScript on your iPhone or iPod Touch.

The exploit’s source code is below, while we’ve also set up a test page for everyone to enjoy (keep in mind that it will completely lock up your iPhone, so do expect to lose any open application data. Oh yes, and we’re not responsible for anything happening — or not happening — if you do open the test page).

Download Link: New iPhone Safari exploit source code. (safe to download, code in text format)
Test Link: Wanna crash your iPhone? Click here! (warning: just loading this page will lock up your iPhone or iPod Touch, or crash Safari on Mac/PC computers)

UPDATE: It appears that this vulnerability was eliminated in the latest version of Safari for computers (v3.1), that came out several hours after this article was posted. Here’s to hoping that a firmware upgrade with a similar fix for iPhone’s Mobile Safari is coming soon.


 


Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Related posts:

  1. Remote iPhone Denial of Service vulnerability exploit attacks 16GB iPhones (and 32GB Apple iPod Touch)
  2. Original iPhone DoS vulnerability still around in iPhone firmware v1.1.4…
  3. Apple iPhone Safari browser memory exhaustion remote Denial of Service vulnerability discovered


Sign up to receive latest iPhone World news and updates via e-mail, RSS, Twitter or Facebook! iPhone World News

Get cash for your cell phone or iPhone
  • MJ420

    He….Crashes Safari AND FIREFOX (PC)

  • http://www.iphoneworld.ca dennis

    What version of Firefox do you have? Could not personally reproduce the error on Firefox 2.0, but it does indeed crash Safari.

    Dennis

  • Steve Lidie

    Safari 3.1 rides right through it, no problem.

  • http://www.dupa.pl Siergiej

    ” alert(fuckbill);”

    nice script, it includes FUCK BILL phrase :-)

  • Newfari

    Doesn’t crash Safari just released today. Stay up to date guys :)

    Copyright Georgi Guninski
    Cannot be used in vulnerability databases
    Especially securityfocus/mitre/cve/cert

  • Ben

    Didn’t crash Safari for me on my Mac, but it sure froze up my iPhone.

  • Brad

    Doesn’t crash the new safari 3.1. It tried it’s best but didn’t do it. I have now tried it 3 times. Looks like the next iphone safari update might fix the issue.
    It is a little bit irresponsible to release the source code of this exploit.
    These things should be submitted to Apple but not the general public.

  • ben

    Didn’t crash safari for me… Though I just downloaded 3.1, perhaps they fixed the issue with the new release?

  • Mark S.

    The latest Safari 3.1 that came out today has no problem at all with this exploit… A page with some text appears, but that is all that happens. I merely closed the window and continued using Safari as before.

  • Tom

    Crashed IE 7 on Windows XP

  • Walt French

    I’ll happily defer to somebody who better understands Javascript — so those of you more expert, dig in! But until then, may I offer… ?

    1. The simple javascript asks for MORE MEMORY than ANY phone would have. My work PC (IE6?) locked up trying to execute this. I doubt ANY PC could actually “correctly” handle a page including this script. Some could _appear_ to freeze while correctly processing the script, due to the huge amount of data sloshed around. Reports of “crashes” might merely indicate that the browser was working its tail off, and not showing any progress.

    2. Pushing the limits such as above is in the highest tradition of finding exploitable browser problems. However, it does NOT appear that the “exploit” is doing anything other than pushing the browser past its limits. Whatever state the iPhone (or my IE6!) is left in, quite possibly it’s to trash the browser session, which would have the OS (X) recycle the used memory, leaving NO RISK of trying to execute code in the created garbage. Yes, it MIGHT, but I think not, and it’s certainly not shown.

    3. So this is not so much a Denial of Service — by which, most people mean, asking a SERVER to do so much useless work that it can’t do its intended work. Rather, it’s more like a suicide loop — if it actually locks up the browser, running some impossible requests, you might have to just turn off the phone. (You might have to just receive a call, which could suspend the browser, just as effectively. YAY for no multitasking! ;^> )

    4. Let’s call it a Hopeless Task — legal, but beyond the capabilities of the nifty gizmo that some of us (not me, alas!) carry around. If this happens to you from visiting a web site, and you go back more than once, you’re a Slow Learner. That self-realization might be a Good Thing; a couple of minutes appears to be the extent of the damage that this little gem can inflict.

    5. My RAZR locks up ALL ON ITS OWN these days: I don’t need no script kiddy’s stuff.

    6. Until somebody shows that a failure to deliver memory to Safari leaves the browser in an unstable state (not a “dead” state), this thing has not crossed the threshold of being even a POTENTIAL EXPLOIT. It indicates that no computer has infinite resources. Perhaps some users would be happier with a slower computer that checks whether each step of a webpage is possible before it carries them out. Personally, I’ll risk having a faster browser which might require me to power-cycle my phone if I’m so unfortunate as to visit some page that wants to cause me a nuisance.

    7. So, iPhoneWorld, what’s the big deal? It’s a practical joke on the level of setting a bag full of doggie poo on fire, then ringing somebody’s doorbell. And it’s being written up as Yeah Those iPhones are buggy and virus-prone. Is this what you want to sell? Need a few more thousand eyeballs who are likely to think your ads are more believable than your editorial?

  • Franz

    I definitely agree Mr. Walt French. You guys really don’t have to put much stock on this – causing people to panic (though i believe panic is just what you want to stir up so that people will come in and read your articles).

    Im a blogger too, and I really hate posting negative comments about writers on blog sites, but this news really struck a nerve in me. don’t you guys have any technical staff to confirm this news? if this is in fact what you call “remote execution DoS vulnerability”?

    come on, you’ve got to be kidding me. read the code, you posted it yourself. all this code really does is loop a thousand times and uses most of the memory on your phone/machine.

    yes, you do experience crashes, this is because, it hogs all the memory, it eats up a lot of it, faster than your machine can recycle/reuse it. but this is in no such way a DoS problem.

    a DoS is much more complicated than this. all you even have to do if you encounter this is to reboot you phone or close your browser whereas if you do get a DoS problem, rebooting won’t solve anything, in other words, you’re f*cked up!

    this is a prank, no other word for it. maybe that is why Apple didn’t comment on it right away. maybe they tried to look at the code, saw it and laugh their asses of about how you people made it such a big deal.

  • mjc

    Camino (10.4.10, v 1.5.5) has no problems.

    Ends up with a popup that says “The page at http://www.iphoneworld.ca says: done generating” and then opens a new tab and displays this:

    Copyright Georgi Guninski
    Cannot be used in vulnerability databases
    Especially securityfocus/mitre/cve/cert

  • http://www.iphoneworld.ca dennis

    Walt French / Frantz

    Not sure if you’re getting the point of this article. I won’t address all your questions/assumptions since some are completely silly and I am simply not paid to be your tech instructor.

    Here’s all I will say:

    1) This is a remotely executed code that does not require user input.
    2) It does not crash ONLY Safari, it completely locks up your iPhone INCLUDING all running and unsaved applications, forcing a reboot.
    3) Combine #1 + #2 and bingo, remote denial of service.
    4) Walt, this does NOT crash my machine which is an old one (only 1GB RAM, 2GHZ CPU) in *any* browser — maximum that happens when it runs on my computer is Safari freezes — FireFox and IE work just fine. I’d suggest you to troubleshoot your machine if IE freezes your computer. And I do sympathize with your RAZR crashing for no reason. Between the two, you might want to service your electronics better.
    5) Frantz, you need to look up the Wikipedia definition of DoS before you go ahead and invent your own.

    From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    (Redirected from Denial of service)
    Jump to: navigation, search
    “DoS” redirects here. For other uses, see DOS (disambiguation).

    A denial-of-service attack (DoS attack) or distributed denial-of-service attack (DDoS attack) is an attempt to make a computer resource unavailable to its intended users. Although the means to, motives for, and targets of a DoS attack may vary, it generally consists of the concerted, malevolent efforts of a person or persons to prevent an Internet site or service from functioning efficiently or at all, temporarily or indefinitely.

    Perpetrators of DoS attacks typically target sites or services hosted on high-profile web servers such as banks, credit card payment gateways, and even DNS root servers.

    One common method of attack involves saturating the target (victim) machine with external communications requests, such that it cannot respond to legitimate traffic, or responds so slowly as to be rendered effectively unavailable. In general terms, DoS attacks are implemented by:

    * forcing the targeted computer(s) to reset, or consume its resources so that it can no longer provide its intended service; or,
    * obstructing the communication media between the intended users and the victim so that they can no longer communicate adequately.

    Denial-of-service attacks are considered violations of the IAB’s Internet proper use policy. They also commonly constitute violations of the laws of individual nations.
    (see FAQ[1])

    Lastly, we have a resident security expert who first reported on this vulnerability to us, and we stand by these findings.

    Now you can keep arguing and bringing up your own assumptions and self invented definitions that no one is familiar with, but it won’t change a thing in the real world. Thanks for your time!

    Dennis

  • Thi Ha

    Well, it sure crashed my Safari 3.1 on the MacBook Pro, or rather, it made it very unresponsive and very difficult to make a force quit.

    However, in the iPod touch 1.1.4, nothing erroneous happened. Safari keeps trying to load it but it doesn’t crash either the browser or the iPod touch. I can easily tell Safari to stop loading it. I can also use the home button.

  • Jakob Peterhänsel

    Dennis,

    Ahh.. why are you aiming at Walt/Frantz when you can’t read the article you post/link to yourself?

    DoS is aimed at SERVERS, not ONE User loading ONE page one their own computer!

    It’s a BUG – yes, but DoS means that one or more computers are aiming at YOUR computer in an attempt to take it’s services down. And since there is NO HTTP server running on your iPhone/iTouch (unless you hacked it and started one yourself) it will not be possibe to make a DoS against the iPhone.

    Only way I see it coming, is if you get bombed with SMS’s that crash you iPhone.. now THAT would be a DoS attach!

  • airmanchairman

    mjc: I Googled the name Georgi Guninski in Firefox, and McAfee Site Advisor instantly flagged up his site(s) [titled "Georgi" and "Exploder"] in the “Use Caution” category, listing 1 RED download in each site, which were the first 2 results of a simple Google search.

  • http://www.iphoneworld.ca dennis

    Jakob,

    Are you implying that DoS attacks cannot be executed against individual computers/other devices and by default have to be against servers?

    I’ll refer you to parts of the same Wikipedia article I’ve quoted from earlier, thanks.

    A denial-of-service attack (DoS attack) or distributed denial-of-service attack (DDoS attack) is an attempt to make a computer resource unavailable to its intended users.

    A DoS attack can be perpetrated in a number of ways. There are five basic types of attack:

    1. consumption of computational resources, such as bandwidth, disk space, or CPU time;
    2. disruption of configuration information, such as routing information;
    3. disruption of state information, such as unsolicited resetting of TCP sessions;
    4. disruption of physical network components.
    5. obstructing the communication media between the intended users and the victim so that they can no longer communicate adequately.
    ….
    A DoS attack may include execution of malware intended to:

    * max out the CPU’s usage, preventing any work from occurring;
    * trigger errors in the microcode of the machine;
    * trigger errors in the sequencing of instructions, so as to force the computer into an unstable state or lock-up;
    * exploits errors in the operating system to cause resource starvation and/or thrashing, i.e. to use up all available facilities so no real work can be accomplished;
    * crash the operating system itself;
    * iFrame (D)DoS, in which an HTML document is made to visit a webpage with many KB’s of information many times, until they achieve the amount of visits to where bandwidth limit is exceeded.

    ..
    Various DoS-causing exploits such as buffer overflow can cause server-running software to get confused and fill the disk space or consume all available memory or CPU time.

    In online gaming, nuking is used by spamming another user, or all other users, with random repeated messages in quick succession. Such techniques are also seen in instant messaging programs as repeatedly sending text can be assigned to a macro or AppleScript. Modern operating systems are usually resistant to these nuke attacks, and online games now have third party “Flood control.”

    In case you still want to argue more, read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denial_of_service

    I’m not going to respond anymore to people that don’t know how to read/understand Wikipedia articles — or until someone changes the Wikipedia entry, thanks :)

    If someone has something constructive to say, you’re quite welcome though:)

    Dennis

  • MarcoIac

    It crashed my Safari 3.1 running on 10.5.2 and MacBook Pro 2.16 Intel Core Duo. I had to force quit, and it was not easy, the computer was responding very slowly. I would suggest to stay away from it.

  • Vermilion

    Confirmed.

    Safari 3.1 (Mac OS X 10.5.2, Intel) displayed the text and then hung. I was still able to force quit Safari quite easily, though.

    iPhone 1.1.4 locked up. Hard. I had to do a hard reboot.

    Congratulations, guys. Make sure you keep One Infinite Loop in the loop.

  • me

    hey, when it locks up IE for 60 seconds before giving an out of memory error, why chastise a cell phone????

  • Greg

    Sarari 3.1 beach-balled for me. While not technically a “crash,” I would consider it effective in its result.

  • N.o.y.B

    FireFox took a few seconds to load it just for some letters but didn’t do anything but say Copyright: bla bla bla

  • wendymoo

    MOBILE 99 CONSULTANCY.

    (ESTABLISHED IN 1994)
    IN CONJUNCTION WITH FEDERAL BUREAU OF
    TELECOMMUNICATION & POST.

    COMPANY LOCATION:SHOP 9A,UPPER LEVEL,
    SANDTON SHOPPING CENTRE,SANDTON 2148,
    SOUTH GATE.

    REGISTRATION NO:885840470

    TEL:+27-730-392-979

    WEBSITE: http://mtglobalcomunication.com/mobile99c/

    FAX NO:+27-777-483-991

    CONTACT EMAIL: mobile99c@gmail.com

    SALES ENQUIRY:mobile99c@hotmail.com

    MSN CHAT:mobile99c

    MOBILE 99 CONSULTANCY is an Approved dealers,
    specialized in the distributors of Mobile
    phones,Laptops,Games,Mobile
    accessories,computer e.t.c. Our objective is
    to develop long-term relationships with our
    customers.To do so we continuously provide our
    existing customers new products, advanced
    designs, and patented innovations so that they
    can stay on the top of their markets. We offer
    a 10 days return policy,and offer a secure
    payment method.

    We shipout worldwide through Professional and
    reliable courier company e.g FEDEX EXPRESS
    ,DHL and UPS within 48hrs of contract sealed,
    Customers never experience what is called
    Breach of contract since our operation,
    Fidelity guarantee our service,our product are
    100% international waranty and guarantee.

    SHIPPING METHOD: FedEx,UPS & URBAN SPEED
    SERVICE.
    DELIVERY/ANALYSIS: 48Hrs Via FedEx Express
    Delivery, (OVRNIGHT DELIVERY ALSO AVAILABLE
    @Affordable charges).

    Our BONANZA are:
    Buy 2 units and get 1 unit FREE.
    Buy 5 units and get 2 unit FREE including
    shipping

    Why buy from us?
    Lowest Prices Checked,Huge Product Range, 24/7
    Online Support, Fast Shipping Guaranteed,
    Safety
    and Security Assured.
    100% *OFFICIAL* AUTHORIZED DEALER
    100% Brand New in Box – Genuine Guaranteed
    100% Lowest Price Guaranteed (Price Match May
    Apply)
    100% FULL Warranty with setup service.

    Our phones are imported from
    USA,Finland,Hungary and Singapore; they are
    factory sealed with original packets comes
    with complete accessory, e.g. charger, extra
    battery and software c d. The phones are sim
    free and it's never lock to any network,
    specification: (europeans/usa-specifications)
    general network gsm 900/gsm 1800/gsm 1900
    platform – tri band (gsm900 + 1800 + 1900 MHz:
    country of manufactured origin:
    USA,Finland,Hungary and Singapore.All products
    consist the following accessories.

    1. Complete accessories(Well packed and sealed
    in original company box)
    2. Unlocked / sim free.
    3. Brand new (original manufacturer) box – no
    copies
    4. All phones have English language as default
    5. All material (software, manual) – car
    chargers – home chargers – usb data cables -
    holsters/belt clips – wireless headsets
    (bluetooth) -leather and non-leather carrying
    cases – batteries.

    If you are interested, forward your questions
    and inquires to us via email your order and
    shipping details. we give 1 year warranty for
    every product sold out to our costumers, our
    product are company class 1 tested and
    approved by global standard organization of
    wireless industries.

    Bellow is our current mobile phones price
    list:

    NO TAX on all products!
    Price listed only applies for Oversea Shipment
    only:

    Apple iphone 3GS (32Gb) @ $330
    Apple iphones 8GB @200
    Apple iphone 4GB @180
    Apple Iphone 3G 16GB @$300
    Apple Iphone 3G 8GB @250
    Ipod Touch 16GB @180

    SIDEKICKS PRODUCT
    Sidekick 2008 @200
    Sidekick LX @130
    Juicy Couture Sidekick II @130
    Mister Cartoon Sidekick @140
    Juicy couture Sidekick III @130
    Sidekick D – Wade @140

    SAMSUNG PRODUCT
    Samsung S9402 Ego @350
    Samsung M3200 @350
    Samsung F110 Adidas miCoach @250
    Samsung Serenata F318 3G (Unlocked)@600

    SONY ERICSSON PRODUCT
    Sony Ericsson T700 @250
    Sony Ericsson W800i @165
    sony Ericsson w600i @150
    sony Ericsson p910i @180
    Sony Ericsson P900 @185
    Sony Ericsson P980i @300
    Sony Ericsson P990i @180
    Sony Ericsson P1i @270
    Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 @300
    Sony Ericsson G900i @250
    Sony Ericsson W890i Walkman Phone @200
    Sony Ericsson C905@250
    Sony Ericsson Satio @320

    XBOX GAMES:
    Xbox 360 Core System @200usd
    Xbox 360 Prenium pack @220usd
    Xbox 360 Platinum Bundle Console @240usd

    NINTENDO WII GAMES
    Nintendo DS Lite NDSL Game Console (Pink) @130
    Nintendo DS Lite Black (US) @130
    Nintendo DS Lite Enamel Navy (HK) @130

    PLAYSTATION 3 GAMES
    Playstation 3 60GB @200
    Playstation 3 80GB @230
    Playstation 3 40GB @180

    BLACKBERRY PRODUCT
    BlackBerry Javelin 8900 @ $310USD
    Blackberry Thunder 9500 @ $330USD
    Blackberry Storm 9530@380
    Blackberry Storm 9500 @400
    Blackberry Curve 8900 @350
    Blackberry Pearl Flip 8220 @400
    Blackberry Bold 9000 @300
    Blackberry 8830 World Edition @250

    HTC PRODUCTHTC

    Touch Viva @380
    HTC MAX 4G @370
    HTC Touch 3G @350
    HTC Touch HD @310
    HTC Shift Pocket PC @300
    HTC Touch Cruise P3650 (POLARIS) @300
    HTC TOUCH PRO @350
    HTC Touch Diamond @250
    HTC Touch Enhanced w/ 1GB Card @190
    HTC Advantage X7500 Quad Band GSM PDA
    SmartPhone @290
    HTC Advantage X7501 Quad Band GSM PDA Phone -
    USVersion @280

    NOKIA PRODUCT
    Nokia N97 @300
    Nokia 8800 Arte Edition w/ BH-803 @600
    Nokia 6085 @170
    Nokia N96 @250
    Nokia 8800 Sirocco @250
    NOKIA 9500 @200
    NOKIA 9300 @160
    Nokia N70 @180
    Nokia N71 @180
    Nokia N72 @180
    Nokia N73 @180

    APPLE IPOD PRODUCT

    20GB iPod @45USD
    Apple 4 GB iPod Mini Pink M9435LL/A @40USD
    Apple 40 GB iPod photo @40USD
    Apple 4 GB iPod Mini Silver M9160LL/A @40USD
    Apple 60 GB iPod Photo M9830LL/A @60USD
    Apple 60 GB iPod photo @55USD
    Apple 30 GB iPod Photo M9829LL/A @50USD
    Apple Macbook Pro 17″ 2.16GHZ Intel core duo
    @750

    NOKIA VERTU PRODUCT
    Vertu Constellation Quadband Unlocked Phone
    @900USD
    Vertu Signature Triband Unlocked Phone
    @2000USD
    Vertu Ascent Triband Unlocked Phone @1200USD
    Vertu Ascent Ti Quadband Unlocked Phone
    (Black)@1500USD

    RETURN POLICY
    *************
    You may return the item within ten (10)days of
    delivery of the order,Products with
    Manufacturer Warranties which exceed 30
    days,returned directly to the manufacturer
    according to their instruction.Customer may
    request replacement product otherwise Company
    credit will be issued.

    OUR TERMS
    *********
    We ship to any destination within 48hours with
    FedEx tracking # after confirming your part
    payment for the types and pcs you demand.We
    use reputable courier services of your choice
    for Distribution of our goods worldwide!All
    currency are in United State Dollars, Visit
    (XE – The World's Favorite Currency and
    Foreign Exchange Site)in order to Calculate
    the cost of conversion of your order.

    Tel:+(27)-730-392-979 Or

    FAX NO:10017645363

    CONTACT EMAIL:mobile99c@gmail.com

    SALES ENQUIRY:mobile99c@hotmail.com

    MSN CHAT:mobile99c

    WEBSITE: http://mtglobalcomunication.com/mobile99c/

    CONTACT MOBILE 99 CONSULTANCY TODAY FOR ALL
    KINDS OF MOBILE PDA AND COMPUTER ACCESSORIES.

    BEST RGARDS,
    CEO/WENDY BIRT
    EXCUTIVE DIR:WENDY MOO

  • Mrdingodongo

    there is an add on that causes your iphone to lock up, its an app from cydia that closes all apps, it is called open activator, when a call is made it causes the screen to freeze/lock up and a reboot is required, remove this app and bingo no more lock ups…simples

blog comments powered by Disqus

iPhone store arrivals