CVE-2010-1234 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Google Chrome before 4.1.249.1036 allows remote attackers to truncate the URL shown in the HTTP Basic Authentication dialog via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1234 represents a security flaw in Google Chrome browser versions prior to 4.1.249.1036 that affects the handling of HTTP Basic Authentication dialogs. This issue falls under the category of information disclosure and user interface deception vulnerabilities, where malicious actors can manipulate the visual representation of URLs displayed during authentication prompts. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and sanitization of URL components within the browser's authentication dialog mechanism, creating opportunities for attackers to obscure or manipulate the actual destination of authentication requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the browser's rendering process for HTTP Basic Authentication dialogs where URL truncation occurs during the display of authentication prompts. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious web pages that trigger authentication dialogs with manipulated URL strings, potentially causing users to believe they are authenticating with a legitimate domain while actually connecting to an attacker-controlled server. This type of attack leverages the principle of user interface deception and can be classified under CWE-602 Client-Side URL Redirect and CWE-200 Information Disclosure, where the exposure of potentially misleading URL information can lead to user confusion and potential credential compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple visual manipulation as it undermines user trust in browser authentication prompts and can facilitate credential theft through phishing attacks. When users see truncated or manipulated URLs in authentication dialogs, they may unknowingly provide credentials to malicious servers, particularly in scenarios where the truncated URL still appears to be from a legitimate domain. This vulnerability affects the browser's security model by weakening the user's ability to verify the authenticity of authentication requests, potentially leading to successful credential harvesting attacks. The attack vector typically involves hosting malicious content on a web server that triggers the vulnerable authentication dialog behavior, making it particularly dangerous in web-based attack scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to Google Chrome version 4.1.249.1036 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the URL truncation issue in authentication dialogs. Organizations should also implement network-level monitoring to detect suspicious authentication attempts and user behavior patterns that might indicate credential theft. Browser security configurations should include enhanced warning mechanisms for authentication prompts and regular security audits to identify potential manipulation of user interface elements. Additionally, user education regarding the importance of verifying URL authenticity before entering credentials and the recognition of suspicious authentication prompts can help reduce the risk of exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, where the manipulation of authentication dialogs serves as a vector for credential theft through deceptive user interface elements.