CVE-2011-1446 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 11.0.696.57 allows remote attackers to spoof the URL bar via vectors involving (1) a navigation error or (2) an interrupted load.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1446 represents a significant security flaw in Google Chrome browsers prior to version 11.0.696.57 that enables remote attackers to manipulate the browser's URL bar display. This issue falls under the category of user interface spoofing attacks where malicious actors can deceive users into believing they are visiting a legitimate website when in fact they are not. The vulnerability specifically exploits the browser's handling of navigation errors and interrupted load scenarios, creating opportunities for phishing attacks and other social engineering schemes that rely on visual deception.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when Chrome encounters navigation errors or experiences interrupted page loads during the rendering process. During these error states, the browser's URL bar may display misleading information that does not accurately reflect the current page or the actual destination of navigation attempts. Attackers can leverage this behavior by crafting malicious web content that triggers these error conditions, causing the browser to display a fake URL while the user remains unaware of the underlying security compromise. This flaw operates at the intersection of browser rendering engine behavior and user interface trust mechanisms, exploiting the gap between what users see and what the browser is actually doing.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-1446 extends beyond simple visual deception to potentially enable sophisticated phishing attacks and credential theft operations. Users who rely on URL bar verification to confirm website legitimacy may be misled into trusting malicious sites, particularly when the spoofed URLs appear to match legitimate domains or when the error conditions occur during transitions between pages. This vulnerability directly impacts user trust in browser security features and can be exploited in targeted attacks against unsuspecting users who may enter sensitive information on compromised pages that appear to be legitimate. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it operates within the normal browsing experience, making it difficult for users to recognize the deception.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-605, which addresses the issue of multiple use of a resource in a single-use context, specifically relating to how browser resources are handled during error states. The flaw also connects to ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers phishing attacks through social engineering, demonstrating how UI manipulation can be leveraged for broader attack objectives. Organizations and individuals should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Chrome version 11.0.696.57 or later, which addresses the underlying navigation error handling, and implementing additional browser security measures such as enhanced URL verification tools, regular security updates, and user education about recognizing phishing attempts. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and consider implementing network-level protections that can detect and block known malicious patterns associated with URL spoofing attacks.