CVE-2005-2271 in iCab
Summary
by MITRE
iCab 2.9.8 does not clearly associate a Javascript dialog box with the web page that generated it, which allows remote attackers to spoof a dialog box from a trusted site and facilitates phishing attacks, aka the "Dialog Origin Spoofing Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2271 represents a critical security flaw in iCab 2.9.8 web browser software that fundamentally undermines user trust and security expectations. This issue stems from the browser's failure to properly establish and maintain clear associations between javascript dialog boxes and their originating web pages, creating an environment where malicious actors can exploit this weakness to deceive users. The vulnerability operates at the user interface level, specifically targeting how browsers handle javascript alerts, confirmations, and prompt dialog boxes that are integral to web application interactions. When a user encounters a javascript dialog box, the browser should clearly indicate which domain or website generated that specific dialog, ensuring users can verify the legitimacy of the source before taking any action.
The technical flaw manifests in the browser's inability to properly implement origin validation mechanisms for javascript dialog boxes, which directly violates security principles established in web browser security models. This weakness allows attackers to craft malicious web pages that generate dialog boxes appearing to originate from legitimate, trusted domains such as banks, social media platforms, or email services. The vulnerability enables what is commonly referred to as dialog origin spoofing, where the attacker can make any javascript dialog box appear to come from a specific, trusted source by manipulating the browser's dialog box generation and display mechanisms. From a cybersecurity perspective, this represents a significant bypass of the browser's security model, as users typically rely on visual cues and domain information to make trust decisions about dialog boxes. The vulnerability specifically affects the browser's user interface security architecture and demonstrates a failure to properly implement the security principle of clear origin indication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial, as it directly enables sophisticated phishing attacks that can bypass traditional security measures and user caution. Attackers can create convincing fake login prompts, security warnings, or confirmation dialogs that appear to originate from legitimate services, potentially tricking users into revealing sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, or personal identification details. This vulnerability particularly affects users who may not be security-aware or who rely on visual cues to determine the legitimacy of web interactions, making it an effective tool for social engineering campaigns. The phishing attacks facilitated by this vulnerability can be particularly dangerous because they exploit the inherent trust users place in browser dialog boxes, which are typically considered secure and trustworthy components of web browsing. The vulnerability essentially erodes the browser's ability to serve as a security boundary between users and potentially malicious web content, creating an attack surface that can be exploited for financial fraud, identity theft, or other malicious activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require both browser-side fixes and user education approaches. Browser vendors must implement proper origin verification mechanisms that ensure javascript dialog boxes clearly display their true source domains, preventing spoofing attacks from occurring. This involves modifying the browser's javascript engine to properly track and display the originating domain for all dialog boxes, aligning with security standards that require clear user interface indicators for security-sensitive operations. The fix should include implementing proper dialog box origin tracking that maintains a clear association between the web page context and the generated dialog, preventing attackers from manipulating this association. Users should be educated about the importance of verifying the actual domain of web pages before responding to javascript dialog boxes, particularly when dealing with sensitive information or financial transactions. Security awareness training should emphasize that even seemingly legitimate dialog boxes can be spoofed and that users should always verify the actual web page address before entering sensitive data. Organizations should implement network-level security controls that can detect and block suspicious javascript behavior, though this represents a secondary defense mechanism since the vulnerability exists at the browser level. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining current browser software versions and implementing regular security updates to protect against known vulnerabilities. From an industry standards perspective, this vulnerability relates to CWE-611 Information Exposure Through Modification, as it exposes users to manipulated dialog box information that can be exploited for malicious purposes. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 Phishing, specifically targeting user trust in browser interfaces to facilitate credential theft and other malicious activities. This vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper browser security implementation and the need for continuous security testing of user interface components that handle user interactions.