CVE-2011-3366 in Rekonq
Summary
by MITRE
Rekonq 0.7.0 and earlier does not use a certain font when rendering certificate fields in a security dialog, which allows remote attackers to spoof the common name (CN) of a certificate via rich text.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3366 affects Rekonq web browser versions 0.7.0 and earlier, specifically targeting the certificate rendering mechanism within security dialogs. This flaw represents a significant security concern as it enables remote attackers to manipulate the visual presentation of certificate information, creating opportunities for man-in-the-middle attacks and phishing attempts. The issue stems from the browser's failure to properly handle font rendering when displaying certificate fields, particularly the common name field that users typically rely on for verifying website authenticity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the browser's security dialog interface not enforcing consistent font usage when displaying certificate information. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious certificates that utilize rich text formatting to manipulate how the common name field appears to users. This manipulation can cause legitimate certificate information to be obscured or replaced with misleading data, effectively bypassing user verification mechanisms that depend on visual inspection of certificate details. The vulnerability specifically targets the rendering process rather than the certificate validation logic itself, making it particularly insidious as it exploits user trust in visual security indicators.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a substantial risk for users who rely on visual certificate verification during web browsing sessions. When users encounter security dialogs, they typically examine the certificate information to confirm website authenticity, particularly focusing on the common name field. The ability to spoof this information through rich text manipulation means attackers can present convincing fake certificates that appear legitimate to users who are not technically sophisticated enough to detect the font manipulation. This vulnerability directly impacts the browser's security model and user confidence in certificate-based authentication systems.
The security implications extend beyond simple certificate spoofing to encompass broader trust model weaknesses in web browser security implementations. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-601, which addresses URL redirect vulnerabilities, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1553.004 related to subvert trust controls. The flaw represents a failure in input validation and output rendering that could enable attackers to create convincing fake security dialogs, potentially leading to credential theft, data exfiltration, or other malicious activities. Organizations using affected versions of Rekonq should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader web security posture assessment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3366 primarily involve upgrading to Rekonq versions that address the font rendering issue in certificate displays. System administrators should ensure that all affected browsers are updated to versions that properly enforce consistent font usage when displaying certificate information. Additionally, users should be educated about the importance of verifying certificate details beyond visual inspection, including checking certificate fingerprints and using multiple verification methods. Network security controls should include monitoring for suspicious certificate behavior and implementing certificate pinning where appropriate. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input sanitization and output rendering in security-critical applications, emphasizing that visual presentation of security information must be robust against manipulation attempts.