CVE-2005-1139 in Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
Opera 8 Beta 3, when using first-generation vetted digital certificates, displays the Organizational information of an SSL certificate, which is easily spoofed and can facilitate phishing attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1139 represents a significant security flaw in Opera 8 Beta 3's SSL certificate validation and display mechanism. This issue specifically affects the browser's handling of first-generation vetted digital certificates, where the user interface incorrectly displays organizational information from SSL certificates in a manner that can be easily manipulated by attackers. The flaw stems from the browser's insufficient validation of certificate attributes, particularly the organizational details that are prominently displayed to users during secure connection establishment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in Opera's certificate presentation logic, which fails to properly verify the authenticity of organizational information contained within SSL certificates. When users encounter a secure website connection, the browser displays certificate details including organizational information that should normally be verified through proper certificate chain validation. However, in this case, the browser's display mechanism shows organizational data without adequate verification, creating a scenario where attackers can craft certificates with misleading organizational information that appears legitimate to users.
This vulnerability directly enables phishing attacks by exploiting the trust users place in certificate displays. The flaw operates under the principle that users often rely on organizational information presented in SSL certificates as a verification mechanism for website legitimacy. Attackers can create fraudulent certificates with believable organizational details, making it appear as though they are connecting to a legitimate website when in fact they are communicating with a malicious server. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the inherent trust users place in SSL certificate validation mechanisms, which are expected to provide authentication assurance.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple phishing attacks to encompass broader security risks in online transactions and communications. Users may unknowingly provide sensitive information to malicious actors who exploit this certificate display flaw, potentially leading to financial fraud, identity theft, or corporate espionage. The vulnerability affects all users of Opera 8 Beta 3 who encounter websites using first-generation vetted certificates, making it a widespread concern for organizations relying on this browser for secure communications.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability involve both immediate browser updates and user education initiatives. The most effective immediate solution is upgrading to a newer version of Opera that properly validates certificate organizational information before displaying it to users. Additionally, users should be educated to verify certificate details through multiple methods beyond visual inspection, including checking for proper certificate chain validation and using additional authentication mechanisms. Organizations should implement certificate monitoring systems to detect potentially malicious certificate usage and establish procedures for identifying and responding to certificate-based attacks.
This vulnerability aligns with several cybersecurity frameworks including CWE-295 which addresses improper certificate validation, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers credential access through phishing. The flaw demonstrates how user interface design decisions can create security weaknesses, emphasizing the importance of proper security validation in all aspects of software development. The vulnerability also highlights the broader challenge of certificate trust models and the need for robust validation mechanisms that prevent spoofing attacks in secure communication protocols.