CVE-2007-3145 in Galeon
Summary
by MITRE
Visual truncation vulnerability in Galeon 2.0.1 allows remote attackers to spoof the address bar and possibly conduct phishing attacks via a long hostname, which is truncated after a certain number of characters, as demonstrated by a phishing attack using HTTP Basic Authentication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-3145 represents a critical visual spoofing issue within the Galeon web browser version 2.0.1 that fundamentally compromises user trust and security. This flaw exploits the browser's handling of hostnames that exceed a predetermined character limit, creating a scenario where malicious actors can manipulate the visual presentation of web addresses to deceive users. The vulnerability specifically targets the address bar display mechanism, which truncates long hostnames after a certain number of characters, thereby creating opportunities for attackers to craft deceptive URLs that appear legitimate to unsuspecting users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and display handling within the browser's user interface components. When a hostname exceeds the configured character threshold, the browser employs visual truncation that removes characters from the display without proper warning or indication to the user. This truncation behavior creates a window of opportunity for attackers to register domains with lengthy hostnames that, when truncated, appear to match legitimate websites. The vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous when combined with HTTP Basic Authentication mechanisms, as demonstrated in the proof-of-concept attack where users might be tricked into entering credentials for what appears to be a trusted site but is actually a maliciously crafted URL.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple visual deception to encompass significant phishing attack capabilities that can compromise user credentials and sensitive information. Security researchers have classified this issue under CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, as the vulnerability exposes users to misleading information that can result in unauthorized access to their accounts. The attack vector involves creating a malicious website with a long hostname where the truncated portion appears to match a legitimate domain, allowing attackers to bypass user security awareness and potentially capture authentication credentials. This vulnerability particularly affects the browser's trust model and user confidence in the address bar as a reliable indicator of website authenticity.
The security implications of CVE-2007-3145 align with tactics described in the ATT&CK framework under T1566, which covers credential access through social engineering and phishing techniques. The vulnerability enables attackers to exploit user psychology by creating convincing but fraudulent web addresses that appear legitimate due to the truncation behavior. Users may inadvertently trust the truncated portion of the URL, especially when it matches a known legitimate domain, leading to credential compromise and potential data breaches. This type of attack demonstrates the critical importance of proper user interface design and security considerations in preventing visual spoofing attacks that can undermine even the most robust authentication systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require both immediate browser updates and user education initiatives. The most effective solution involves implementing proper hostname display handling that either prevents truncation of critical security indicators or provides clear visual warnings when truncation occurs. Browser vendors should ensure that address bar displays maintain integrity of security-relevant information and implement mechanisms to alert users when hostnames have been truncated. Additionally, users should be educated about the importance of verifying full URLs, particularly when authentication is required, and should be trained to recognize potential spoofing attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the necessity of implementing proper input validation and display handling in all security-critical user interface components to prevent similar issues across different applications and platforms.