CVE-2008-1764 in Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Opera before 9.27 has unknown impact and attack vectors related to "keyboard handling of password inputs."
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1764 affects Opera web browsers prior to version 9.27 and relates to improper keyboard handling of password inputs. This issue represents a security flaw that could potentially be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access to user credentials or system resources. The unspecified nature of the impact and attack vectors suggests that the vulnerability may have multiple exploitation pathways or that the full scope of potential consequences was not clearly defined at the time of discovery. Such vulnerabilities in browser software are particularly concerning as they can compromise user authentication mechanisms and sensitive data transmission processes.
The technical flaw stems from how Opera handled keyboard input events when users interacted with password fields in web forms. This type of vulnerability typically involves improper validation or handling of keyboard events that could allow malicious actors to intercept or manipulate password input sequences. The weakness likely resides in the browser's event processing system where keyboard actions are not properly sanitized or validated before being processed in password input contexts. This could potentially enable attackers to capture keystrokes, manipulate input sequences, or bypass security measures designed to protect password fields.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it could potentially enable more sophisticated attacks such as credential harvesting, session hijacking, or privilege escalation. When browsers fail to properly handle keyboard input in sensitive contexts like password fields, attackers may exploit this weakness to capture user credentials during authentication processes or to inject malicious input that could compromise system integrity. The vulnerability affects users who rely on Opera for web browsing, particularly in environments where sensitive authentication data is processed through the browser interface.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily involve updating to Opera version 9.27 or later, which would include patches addressing the keyboard handling implementation. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as monitoring for suspicious keyboard input patterns, validating browser versions in use, and educating users about the importance of keeping their browser software updated. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-254, which addresses weaknesses in password handling and authentication mechanisms, and may potentially map to ATT&CK techniques related to credential access and input validation bypass. The remediation process should include comprehensive browser updates across all affected systems and verification of the patch effectiveness through security scanning tools.