CVE-2013-2317 in Sleipnir Mobile
Summary
by MITRE
The Sleipnir Mobile application 2.9.1 and earlier and Sleipnir Mobile Black Edition application 2.9.1 and earlier for Android allow remote attackers to spoof the address bar via vectors involving the opening of a new window.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2018
The CVE-2013-2317 vulnerability affects the Sleipnir Mobile browser applications for Android, specifically versions 2.9.1 and earlier, including both the standard and Black Edition variants. This security flaw represents a significant concern for user trust and web security integrity within mobile browsing environments. The vulnerability manifests through a sophisticated spoofing mechanism that exploits the browser's handling of new window operations, creating a dangerous misrepresentation of website authenticity that could deceive users into believing they are visiting legitimate sites when they are not.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation and handling of new window creation events within the browser's address bar display logic. When attackers craft malicious web content that triggers the opening of a new browser window, the application fails to properly verify or display the actual URL of the new window's content. This allows malicious actors to manipulate the address bar presentation to show a false URL while the actual content remains under their control. The flaw operates at the application layer of the browser architecture, specifically affecting how the user interface components communicate with the underlying web rendering engine during dynamic window operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple user deception to potentially enable sophisticated phishing attacks and credential theft operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness to create convincing fake login pages or fraudulent financial transaction interfaces that appear legitimate to users. The vulnerability particularly affects mobile users who may be less vigilant about address bar verification due to smaller screen sizes and different interaction patterns compared to desktop environments. Users might be tricked into entering sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, or personal identification details, believing they are interacting with legitimate banking or e-commerce sites.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-601, which addresses URL redirect and forward vulnerabilities, and specifically relates to the broader category of user interface spoofing attacks that fall under the ATT&CK framework's T1531 technique for "Account Access Removal" and T1566 for "Phishing". The security implications extend to the mobile browser security domain, where user trust in address bar authenticity is paramount for maintaining secure browsing practices. The flaw demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and address bar integrity checking in mobile browser applications, particularly when handling dynamic content and window management operations that could be manipulated by malicious actors.
Organizations and users should immediately upgrade to versions of Sleipnir Mobile that have addressed this vulnerability, as the risk of exploitation remains high given the nature of the spoofing mechanism. Security teams should implement network-based monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and consider deploying additional security layers such as browser security extensions or mobile device management solutions that can provide enhanced protection against such UI manipulation attacks. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for comprehensive security testing of mobile browser applications, particularly focusing on user interface components that users rely upon for security verification during web browsing activities.