CVE-2013-5152 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
Mobile Safari in Apple iOS before 7 allows remote attackers to spoof the URL bar via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5152 represents a critical security flaw in Apple iOS mobile browsers that affected versions prior to iOS 7. This issue resides in the Mobile Safari web rendering engine and specifically targets the user interface elements that display website addresses to users. The flaw enables malicious actors to create deceptive web pages that can manipulate the URL bar display, making it appear as though users are visiting a legitimate website when they are actually accessing a fraudulent one. This vulnerability directly impacts the core security principle of user trust and authentication within mobile web browsing environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits weaknesses in how Mobile Safari processes and renders URL bar information when displaying web content. Attackers can craft specifically designed websites that manipulate the browser's rendering engine to display misleading URL information while maintaining the actual connection to the malicious site. This technique involves manipulating HTML elements, CSS styling, and JavaScript behaviors to create a false sense of security for users who rely on URL bar verification for website authenticity. The flaw essentially bypasses the browser's security mechanisms that should ensure users can accurately identify the websites they are visiting, creating a significant risk for phishing attacks and credential theft operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-5152 extends beyond simple deception, as it enables sophisticated social engineering attacks that can compromise user credentials and sensitive data. Users who rely on URL bar verification for security decisions may unknowingly submit personal information to malicious sites that appear legitimate due to the spoofed URL display. This vulnerability particularly affects financial transactions, email logins, and other sensitive activities where users depend on URL bar confirmation for security validation. The attack vector requires no special privileges or complex exploitation techniques, making it highly accessible to threat actors and potentially affecting millions of iOS users simultaneously.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including prompt upgrading to iOS 7 or later versions where this vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should also consider deploying additional security measures such as web filtering solutions, browser security extensions, and user education programs about the dangers of relying solely on URL bar verification. Network administrators should monitor for suspicious web traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts and consider implementing advanced threat detection systems that can identify anomalous URL display behaviors. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and represents a significant risk for organizations relying on mobile web browsing for business operations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1566 (Phishing) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) as it enables attackers to manipulate user trust through deceptive web interface elements. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication and security awareness training to reduce the impact of such UI-based deception attacks.