CVE-2009-3005 in Lunascape
Summary
by MITRE
Lunascape 5.1.3 and 5.1.4 allows remote attackers to spoof the address bar, via window.open with a relative URI, to show an arbitrary URL on the web site visited by the victim, as demonstrated by a visit to an attacker-controlled web page, which triggers a spoofed login form for the site containing that page. NOTE: a related attack was reported in which an arbitrary file: URL is shown.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-3005 represents a significant web browser security flaw affecting Lunascape versions 5.1.3 and 5.1.4. This issue falls under the category of user interface spoofing attacks where malicious actors can manipulate the browser's address bar display to deceive users about the actual website they are visiting. The vulnerability specifically exploits the window.open function with relative URIs to create misleading visual representations of web addresses, enabling attackers to craft convincing phishing scenarios that can fool even experienced users.
The technical implementation of this exploit relies on the browser's handling of relative URIs within the window.open JavaScript method. When an attacker crafts a malicious webpage that uses window.open with a relative URI, the browser's address bar can be manipulated to display a false URL while maintaining the actual connection to the malicious site. This creates a scenario where users see what appears to be a legitimate website address in their browser's address bar, but are actually interacting with an attacker-controlled page. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the user interface level, making it difficult for users to distinguish between genuine and spoofed websites based on address bar content alone.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple address bar spoofing to encompass full phishing attack capabilities. Attackers can leverage this flaw to create convincing login forms that appear to belong to legitimate services, potentially capturing user credentials and sensitive information. The fact that the vulnerability also allows for arbitrary file: URLs to be displayed adds another layer of complexity to the attack surface, as it enables manipulation of local file access indicators. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning from a security standpoint because it undermines fundamental user trust in browser interface elements and can lead to significant data breaches and identity theft incidents.
This vulnerability corresponds to CWE-601 URL Redirector Abuse, which specifically addresses the issue of web applications creating potentially dangerous redirects that can mislead users about the destination of their navigation. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers phishing through social engineering, specifically focusing on the manipulation of user interface elements to create deceptive browsing experiences. Organizations using affected Lunascape versions face elevated risk of credential theft and data compromise, particularly in environments where users may be targeted through spear-phishing campaigns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and address bar rendering mechanisms in web browsers, as well as the need for regular security updates to address such UI-based attacks that exploit user trust in familiar interface elements.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate patching of affected Lunascape versions to address the window.open URI handling behavior. Security administrators should implement browser security policies that restrict or monitor the use of potentially dangerous JavaScript functions, while also educating users about the importance of verifying website addresses through multiple means beyond address bar content. Organizations should consider implementing additional security measures such as browser extensions that provide enhanced address bar verification, regular security audits of web applications, and monitoring for suspicious URL patterns in user traffic. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that user interface elements, while designed to enhance usability, can also become attack vectors when not properly secured against manipulation by malicious actors.