CVE-2014-1723 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The UnescapeURLWithOffsetsImpl function in net/base/escape.cc in Google Chrome before 34.0.1847.116 does not properly handle bidirectional Internationalized Resource Identifiers (IRIs), which makes it easier for remote attackers to spoof URLs via crafted use of right-to-left (RTL) Unicode text.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1723 resides within Google Chrome's URL handling mechanism, specifically in the UnescapeURLWithOffsetsImpl function located in net/base/escape.cc. This flaw represents a sophisticated user interface deception attack that exploits the complex rendering behavior of bidirectional text in internationalized resource identifiers. The vulnerability stems from Chrome's inadequate processing of right-to-left Unicode text sequences within IRI parsing, creating a scenario where malicious actors can craft deceptive URLs that appear legitimate to users while actually directing to malicious destinations. The issue manifests when Chrome processes internationalized domain names containing Unicode characters that are rendered in right-to-left scripts, allowing attackers to manipulate the visual presentation of URLs in ways that obscure the actual destination.
The technical flaw occurs because the UnescapeURLWithOffsetsImpl function fails to properly account for bidirectional text rendering rules when processing IRI components. When a URL contains Unicode characters from right-to-left scripts such as Arabic or Hebrew, the function does not correctly handle the visual ordering of characters during URL display and parsing. This creates a mismatch between how the URL appears to users and how it is actually processed by the browser's underlying systems. The vulnerability specifically affects the visual representation of URLs rather than the actual parsing or execution, making it particularly insidious as users may be deceived by the appearance of familiar domains while being redirected to malicious sites. This issue falls under CWE-174, which addresses the weakness of insufficient control of graphical rendering properties, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for user execution through malicious content manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for web security and user trust mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by creating domain names that visually appear to be legitimate sites while actually containing malicious code or redirecting to phishing pages. The vulnerability enables sophisticated phishing attacks where the URL bar displays a deceptive representation of the actual destination, making it extremely difficult for users to distinguish between legitimate and malicious sites. This type of attack particularly affects users who are not security-aware or who rely heavily on visual cues for URL verification. The vulnerability affects all versions of Google Chrome prior to 34.0.1847.116, representing a substantial attack surface for threat actors who could leverage this weakness to conduct large-scale phishing campaigns or deliver malware through seemingly legitimate URLs. The security implications extend beyond simple URL spoofing to encompass broader trust model breaches in web browsers where users rely on visual URL cues for security decisions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1723 require immediate browser updates to version 34.0.1847.116 or later, which contains the necessary patches to properly handle bidirectional text in URL processing. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser update policies and ensure all users maintain current versions of Google Chrome. Security teams should also consider implementing URL filtering and content inspection mechanisms that can detect suspicious Unicode character sequences in URLs, particularly in high-risk environments. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize that visual URL appearance should not be the sole indicator of site legitimacy, and that users should verify actual domain names through multiple methods including certificate inspection and security indicators. Network administrators should monitor for suspicious URL patterns and consider implementing additional security layers such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious URL sequences. The patch addresses the core issue by ensuring proper bidirectional text handling during URL parsing and display, thereby preventing the visual manipulation that enables URL spoofing attacks. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper Unicode text handling in security-critical applications and demonstrates how seemingly innocuous text rendering issues can create significant security risks.