CVE-2007-1737 in Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
Opera 9.10 does not check URLs embedded in (1) object or (2) iframe HTML tags against the phishing site blacklist, which allows remote attackers to bypass phishing protection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1737 represents a critical flaw in Opera 9.10's web browser security architecture that undermines fundamental phishing protection mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically affects the browser's handling of embedded content within HTML objects and iframes, creating a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent established security controls. The issue stems from Opera's failure to validate URLs contained within these HTML elements against its built-in phishing site blacklist, effectively allowing attackers to embed deceptive links that would normally be blocked by the browser's security features.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves Opera's inconsistent security checking behavior across different HTML tag types. While the browser properly validates standard URLs and navigation attempts against its phishing protection mechanisms, it fails to apply the same scrutiny to URLs embedded within object and iframe tags. This selective enforcement creates a security gap where attackers can leverage the legitimate use of these HTML elements to host malicious content that bypasses the phishing protection system. The flaw operates at the application layer of the browser's security model, specifically affecting how the user agent processes and validates embedded content during page rendering.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability significantly weakens the browser's ability to protect users from phishing attacks, which are among the most prevalent and damaging forms of cyber threats. Attackers can exploit this weakness by embedding malicious URLs within legitimate-looking web pages through object and iframe tags, making it appear as though the content is safe while actually directing users to fraudulent sites. The vulnerability essentially allows for a form of security bypass that could lead to credential theft, financial fraud, and other malicious activities. According to the common weakness enumeration framework, this represents a weakness categorized under CWE-622, which deals with improper validation of security-related data, and aligns with the attack pattern identified in the attack tree methodology as a technique for bypassing security controls.
The implications extend beyond simple phishing protection failure, as this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the browser's security architecture that could potentially be exploited in combination with other attack vectors. Users of Opera 9.10 would be particularly vulnerable when visiting compromised websites or when encountering social engineering attacks that utilize embedded malicious content. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of comprehensive security validation across all HTML elements, as the protection mechanisms should apply uniformly regardless of how content is embedded within web pages. Organizations and security professionals should recognize that this type of vulnerability represents a critical area where browser security implementations can be inconsistent, potentially allowing attackers to leverage the very features designed to protect users against malicious content.
Effective mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate browser updates to patch the validation logic and ensure that all embedded URLs are properly checked against phishing protection lists. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of maintaining updated browser software. From a defensive perspective, security teams should implement network-level monitoring to detect and block suspicious embedded content patterns, while also ensuring that browser security policies are properly configured to enforce consistent validation across all HTML elements. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of comprehensive security testing that covers all aspects of browser functionality, including edge cases involving embedded content and third-party integrations that might bypass standard validation mechanisms.