CVE-2012-2898 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 21.0.1180.82 on iOS on iPad devices allows remote attackers to spoof the Omnibox URL via vectors involving SSL error messages, a related issue to CVE-2012-0674.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-2898 represents a significant security flaw in Google Chrome versions prior to 21.0.1180.82 on iOS devices, specifically affecting iPad deployments. This issue constitutes a user interface deception attack that exploits the browser's handling of SSL certificate errors, creating a dangerous misrepresentation of website authenticity. The vulnerability operates through a sophisticated manipulation of the Omnibox interface, which is the address bar where users typically verify website identity and security status.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of SSL error handling mechanisms within Chrome's iOS implementation. When SSL certificate errors occur, the browser displays error messages that can be manipulated to present misleading information about the website being accessed. Attackers can craft malicious web content that triggers these SSL error displays in such a way that the displayed URL appears legitimate while the actual connection is to a malicious server. This manipulation occurs at the interface level where the Omnibox presents URL information, allowing attackers to create convincing fake security warnings that deceive users into believing they are visiting legitimate sites.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe trust model breach in the browser's security architecture. Users who rely on the Omnibox to verify website authenticity may be misled into trusting malicious sites, potentially leading to credential theft, financial fraud, or data exfiltration. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it exploits the very mechanism users trust most for security verification. The attack vector specifically targets iOS devices where users may be less familiar with SSL certificate validation and more likely to trust the browser interface without additional verification.
The security implications extend beyond simple phishing attacks as this vulnerability undermines the fundamental trust relationship between users and browser security warnings. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-611, which addresses Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1557.001 for DNS tunneling and T1557.002 for DNS cache poisoning, though specifically targeting the browser interface rather than network protocols. The vulnerability demonstrates how interface-level manipulations can bypass traditional security controls and create trust violations that are difficult for users to detect.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate browser updates to the patched version 21.0.1180.82 or later, which corrects the SSL error message handling and Omnibox display logic. Organizations should implement comprehensive security awareness training to educate users about SSL certificate verification and the importance of verifying website authenticity through multiple means. Additionally, network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual SSL certificate behavior and potential attempts to exploit this vulnerability. System administrators should also consider implementing browser security policies that enforce automatic updates and restrict access to untrusted websites until proper security patches are applied.
The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure user interface design in security applications, where interface elements must not only be functional but also resistant to manipulation. This case demonstrates how seemingly minor interface behaviors can create significant security risks when not properly validated against adversarial exploitation. The remediation process requires not only updating the browser software but also ensuring that users understand the importance of verifying website security certificates and not solely relying on interface elements for security validation.