CVE-2005-2273 in Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
Opera 7.x and 8 before 8.01 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-2005-2273 represents a critical security flaw in Opera web browsers version 7.x and 8.x prior to 8.01, specifically addressing the improper handling of javascript dialog boxes and their association with originating web pages. This issue fundamentally undermines the browser's security model by creating an opportunity for malicious actors to exploit user trust in legitimate websites through deceptive interface elements. The flaw stems from Opera's failure to properly maintain and display the origin context of javascript dialog boxes, allowing attackers to manipulate the perceived source of security warnings and user interactions.
This vulnerability operates at the intersection of user interface security and web application trust models, creating a scenario where phishing attacks can be significantly enhanced through the manipulation of dialog box origins. The technical implementation flaw lies in Opera's javascript engine's inability to clearly distinguish between dialog boxes generated by the current page versus those potentially injected or manipulated by malicious third parties. This creates a dangerous situation where legitimate websites can be spoofed to appear as the source of javascript dialog boxes, leading users to make security decisions based on false origins. The vulnerability specifically affects the browser's dialog box management system, where the origin information that should be displayed to users becomes unreliable or misleading.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple phishing attacks to encompass broader security implications for user trust and browser security architecture. Attackers can leverage this flaw to create convincing spoofed dialog boxes that appear to originate from trusted websites, potentially leading users to disclose sensitive information, click on malicious links, or perform actions that would otherwise be prevented by proper security warnings. The vulnerability enables a form of user interface deception that bypasses traditional security mechanisms, as users may not realize they are interacting with a malicious dialog box that appears to come from a legitimate source. This creates a significant risk for financial transactions, credential harvesting, and other security-sensitive interactions that depend on user confidence in the browser's security warnings.
The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-611, which addresses improper access control in web applications, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1566 for social engineering attacks. Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability should immediately update to Opera 8.01 or later versions where this issue has been resolved. The mitigation strategy involves not only browser updates but also user education about the importance of verifying dialog box origins and implementing additional security layers such as security software that can detect suspicious dialog box behaviors. Network administrators should monitor for potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all browser installations are kept current with security patches, as this vulnerability was particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users might be less aware of security risks.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of proper user interface security design and the need for consistent origin verification across all browser components. This flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor interface elements can become significant attack vectors when proper security controls are not implemented. The vulnerability also underscores the critical need for browser vendors to maintain rigorous security testing, particularly around user interaction elements that can be manipulated by third parties. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as an example of how phishing attacks can be enhanced through browser-level flaws, emphasizing the necessity of comprehensive security testing that includes user interface elements and their interaction with security warnings.