CVE-2004-0527 in Konqueror
Summary
by MITRE
KDE Konqueror 2.1.1 and 2.2.2 allows remote attackers to spoof a legitimate URL in the status bar via A HREF tags with modified "alt" values that point to the legitimate site, combined with an image map whose href points to the malicious site, which facilitates a "phishing" attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2024
This vulnerability exists in KDE Konqueror web browser versions 2.1.1 and 2.2.2 where the status bar display mechanism fails to properly validate URL references associated with hypertext links. The flaw stems from how the browser processes A HREF tags that contain modified alt attribute values pointing to legitimate websites while simultaneously utilizing image maps with href attributes directing to malicious destinations. This creates a deceptive user interface where the status bar displays the legitimate URL while the actual navigation target remains malicious, enabling attackers to craft convincing phishing scenarios that exploit user trust in familiar website addresses.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the browser's insufficient validation of hyperlink attributes within HTML documents. When processing web content, Konqueror relies on the alt attribute value to populate the status bar display, while the actual href attribute of the image map element controls the navigation target. This separation of display and execution contexts creates a window where attackers can manipulate the visual representation without altering the underlying navigation behavior. The vulnerability specifically affects the browser's URL display logic and demonstrates a classic case of user interface deception that bypasses traditional security mechanisms designed to protect against phishing attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple phishing facilitation to represent a significant threat to user security awareness and trust. Users operating Konqueror 2.1.1 and 2.2.2 are vulnerable to sophisticated social engineering attacks where malicious actors can construct web pages that appear legitimate while secretly redirecting users to harmful destinations. This creates a dangerous environment where users may unknowingly submit sensitive information to malicious sites while believing they are interacting with trusted legitimate websites. The vulnerability undermines fundamental security principles of transparency and user control over navigation decisions.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-601 and CWE-200 within the CWE taxonomy, representing URL redirection issues and information exposure respectively. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with T1566 (Phishing) and T1071.001 (Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols) where attackers exploit web browser implementation flaws to create deceptive user experiences. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics of T1211 (Exploitation for Defense Evasion) as it allows attackers to bypass security mechanisms that depend on visual user cues. Organizations using these vulnerable browser versions face significant risk of credential theft, financial fraud, and data compromise through successful exploitation of this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies include immediate upgrade to patched versions of Konqueror, implementation of additional browser security extensions that validate URL display consistency, and user education regarding the importance of verifying actual navigation targets. Network-level controls such as web proxies with content filtering capabilities can help detect and block malicious content, while security monitoring should focus on identifying suspicious URL patterns and user behavior anomalies. System administrators should also consider implementing browser hardening measures that restrict the execution of potentially malicious HTML content and enforce consistent URL display validation across all browser interfaces.