CVE-2004-0166 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in Safari web browser for Mac OS X 10.2.8 related to "the display of URLs in the status bar."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0166 represents a security flaw in Apple Safari web browser version 1.0 running on Mac OS X 10.2.8 operating system. This issue specifically relates to the browser's handling of URL display within the status bar component, which serves as a critical user interface element for indicating web navigation and resource location. The status bar functionality in web browsers traditionally provides users with essential information about the current page, including the complete URL, which helps users verify they are visiting legitimate websites and understand the context of their browsing activity. The vulnerability arises from improper handling or rendering of URL information in this status bar interface, potentially creating a scenario where users receive misleading or incomplete information about the web addresses they are visiting.
This technical flaw falls under the category of information disclosure and user interface manipulation vulnerabilities, which can be categorized under CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and potentially CWE-693 (Protection Mechanism Failure). The vulnerability's impact stems from the fact that users rely on the status bar to confirm the authenticity and destination of web resources, particularly when navigating to sensitive websites or performing financial transactions. When URL information is not properly displayed or is manipulated, it can lead to user confusion and potentially enable phishing attacks where malicious actors exploit the incomplete URL display to deceive users into visiting fraudulent websites. The vulnerability's nature suggests a lack of proper input validation and output sanitization in the status bar rendering code, where URL components may not be correctly escaped or displayed, creating opportunities for attackers to craft deceptive URL sequences.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple user experience degradation to potentially compromise user security and trust in the browser's integrity. Attackers could exploit this flaw by crafting specially formatted URLs that appear legitimate in the status bar but actually point to malicious destinations, thereby bypassing user security awareness and potentially leading to credential theft, financial fraud, or malware installation. This vulnerability particularly affects users of older Mac OS X versions who may not have received security updates or patches addressing such display-related issues. The threat landscape for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 (Phishing) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) where attackers leverage user interface manipulation to facilitate social engineering attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and could be automated, making it particularly dangerous for the general user population who may not recognize the deceptive URL display patterns.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of the Safari browser to the latest available version that addresses the status bar URL display issue. System administrators should ensure all Mac OS X systems are updated to the latest security patches and consider implementing additional browser security measures such as URL filtering, content security policies, and user education about recognizing suspicious URL patterns. Users should be trained to verify website addresses through multiple means rather than relying solely on status bar information, particularly when accessing sensitive resources. Organizations should implement security awareness programs that emphasize the importance of validating URLs through alternative methods such as address bar verification, SSL certificate inspection, and bookmark verification. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the need for continuous monitoring of browser security patches, as this issue represents a failure in the browser's fundamental security mechanisms for user interface information display.