CVE-2010-4583 in Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
Opera before 11.00, when Opera Turbo is enabled, does not display a page s security indication, which makes it easier for remote attackers to spoof trusted content via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-4583 represents a significant security flaw in Opera web browser versions prior to 11.00, specifically when the Opera Turbo feature is enabled. This issue fundamentally undermines the browser's security model by creating a misleading user interface state that obscures critical security indicators. The vulnerability falls under the category of user interface deception and security warning bypass, which can be categorized as CWE-693, representing inadequate protection of security indicators. When Opera Turbo is active, the browser fails to properly display the security status of web pages, creating an environment where malicious actors can exploit this omission to conduct sophisticated phishing attacks or content spoofing operations. The security indication that should normally appear to inform users about the authenticity and security status of visited websites becomes invisible or obscured, leaving users vulnerable to deceptive web content.
The technical implementation of this flaw stems from how Opera handles security indicators when the Turbo mode is active. Opera Turbo is designed to compress web content for faster delivery, particularly useful in bandwidth-constrained environments. However, the developers failed to properly integrate the security display functionality with this compression mode, resulting in a complete omission of security status indicators. This creates a scenario where legitimate websites appear to be operating in a secure context while potentially malicious sites can mimic trusted interfaces without revealing their true nature to users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the user interface level rather than at the network protocol or application layer, making it difficult to detect through traditional network monitoring or application security scanning methods.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple user deception to potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors. Attackers can craft malicious websites that appear to be legitimate trusted domains, exploiting the missing security indicators to bypass user security awareness. This vulnerability can be leveraged to conduct credential theft operations, financial fraud, or data exfiltration attacks where users might unknowingly interact with malicious content believing it to be secure. The attack surface is particularly broad as it affects all users of older Opera versions who have Opera Turbo enabled, creating a substantial risk pool for threat actors. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566, which involves social engineering techniques that manipulate users into performing actions that compromise security. The attack chain typically involves initial access through a deceptive website that appears secure due to the missing security indicators, followed by user interaction that leads to compromise.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate browser updates to the patched versions of Opera 11.00 and later, which properly maintain security indicators even when Opera Turbo is enabled. Users should disable Opera Turbo if they are running vulnerable versions of the browser, though this reduces the performance benefits of the feature. Security administrators should implement browser policy controls that enforce secure browser configurations and ensure that users are running patched versions of Opera. Additionally, organizations should consider deploying security awareness training programs to educate users about the importance of verifying website authenticity through alternative means, as the browser's security indicators are compromised. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining consistent security displays across all browser modes and features, as the absence of security indicators in any context can undermine user trust and security posture. This issue also highlights the need for comprehensive testing of security features across all browser modes and configurations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future software versions.