CVE-2004-0528 in Navigator
Summary
by MITRE
Netscape Navigator 7.1 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 • 01/21/2025
This vulnerability in Netscape Navigator 7.1 represents a sophisticated client-side phishing attack vector that exploits the browser's URL display mechanism through malformed hyperlink structures. The flaw specifically targets the status bar URL spoofing capability, where attackers can manipulate the display of legitimate URLs while directing users to malicious destinations. The vulnerability operates through a combination of HTML elements including anchor tags with modified alt attributes and image maps that create deceptive user experiences. This particular implementation demonstrates how browser security can be undermined through improper handling of HTML attributes and their interaction with user interface elements. The attack leverages the trust users place in the status bar display, which typically shows the URL of the page or resource being hovered over, making it an ideal target for social engineering attacks.
The technical execution of this vulnerability relies on the browser's interpretation of HTML markup where the alt attribute of anchor tags can be manipulated to display misleading information while the actual href attribute points to malicious resources. When combined with image map functionality, attackers can create complex hyperlink structures that appear legitimate in the status bar but redirect users to phishing sites. This vulnerability specifically affects the browser's ability to properly validate and display URL information, creating a scenario where user interface elements become misleading indicators of actual web resource locations. The flaw demonstrates a lack of proper input validation and URL display sanitization within the browser's rendering engine. According to CWE standards, this represents a weakness in the validation of user-provided data that affects the integrity of user interface elements, specifically categorized under CWE-20: Improper Input Validation. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001: Phishing for Information through the creation of deceptive web pages that exploit user trust in browser status indicators.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple phishing attacks to encompass broader security implications for web browsing environments. Users who encounter such malicious pages may unknowingly navigate to fraudulent websites that attempt to capture sensitive information such as login credentials, personal data, or financial information. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it exploits the psychological trust users place in browser status bars, which are typically considered reliable indicators of web resource locations. Security professionals must recognize that this vulnerability represents a client-side attack that requires no special privileges or system-level access, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may be browsing with outdated or unsupported browser versions. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper HTML attribute handling and the need for robust browser security mechanisms that can detect and prevent such deceptive practices.
Organizations and users should implement multiple layers of defense against this type of vulnerability, starting with immediate browser updates and patches to address the underlying flaw. The most effective mitigation involves ensuring all users are running current versions of browsers that properly validate URL display mechanisms and implement proper security measures to prevent status bar spoofing. Security awareness training becomes crucial in helping users recognize deceptive web elements and understand the importance of verifying URLs through multiple methods rather than relying solely on status bar displays. Network security measures such as web filtering and content inspection can help detect and block malicious URLs before they reach users, while browser security extensions can provide additional protection against spoofing attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of comprehensive security testing that includes user interface elements and the need for regular security assessments of browser functionality. The incident also underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date software and the dangers of using outdated browser versions that may contain unpatched security vulnerabilities. Proper security architecture should include defense-in-depth strategies that protect against both server-side and client-side attacks, recognizing that user interface elements like status bars can become attack vectors when not properly secured against manipulation.