CVE-2011-1452 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 11.0.696.57 allows user-assisted remote attackers to spoof the URL bar via vectors involving a redirect and a manual reload.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1452 represents a significant security flaw in Google Chrome browsers prior to version 11.0.696.57, specifically targeting the browser's URL bar spoofing capabilities. This issue enables malicious actors to deceive users into believing they are visiting a legitimate website while actually being directed to a fraudulent destination. The vulnerability exploits the browser's handling of redirects combined with manual reload functionality to create a deceptive user experience that undermines the fundamental security assumptions of web browsing.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the manipulation of HTTP redirects in conjunction with user-initiated reload actions within the browser's navigation system. When a user encounters a malicious redirect followed by a manual reload, Chrome's URL bar fails to properly validate or display the actual destination URL, allowing attackers to present a false address that appears legitimate to users. This occurs because the browser's security model does not adequately distinguish between the original navigation path and the final destination URL during the reload process. The flaw essentially creates a window where the URL bar display becomes decoupled from the actual web content being rendered, enabling attackers to exploit this discrepancy for phishing and social engineering attacks.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses a serious threat to user security and trust within the Chrome browser ecosystem. Users may be tricked into entering sensitive information on fraudulent websites that appear to be legitimate, as the URL bar displays misleading information that contradicts the actual website being accessed. The user-assisted nature of this attack means that victims must actively engage with the malicious page, typically through clicking on a link or navigating to a compromised site, but the subsequent deception makes it extremely difficult for users to recognize the security threat. This vulnerability directly impacts the browser's ability to maintain user trust and security awareness, as it undermines one of the most fundamental security indicators available to web users.
The security implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple URL bar deception and represent a broader concern about browser security models and user interface integrity. According to CWE classification, this issue relates to CWE-20: Improper Input Validation, as the browser fails to properly validate URL information during navigation sequences. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.001: Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, as it exploits web navigation and HTTP redirect mechanisms to achieve its malicious objectives. Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigation strategies including updating to Chrome version 11.0.696.57 or later, educating users about the risks of clicking suspicious links, and monitoring for potential phishing attempts that may exploit this specific flaw. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining robust browser security mechanisms and the need for continuous security updates to protect against evolving threats in the web browsing environment.