CVE-2014-1870 in Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
Opera before 19 on Mac OS X allows user-assisted remote attackers to spoof the address bar via vectors involving a drag-and-drop operation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1870 represents a significant security flaw in Opera web browser versions prior to 19 on Mac OS X systems. This issue falls under the category of user-assisted remote code execution through interface manipulation, specifically targeting the browser's address bar spoofing capabilities. The vulnerability exploits a weakness in how Opera handles drag-and-drop operations within its user interface, creating a scenario where malicious actors can deceive users into believing they are visiting legitimate websites while actually navigating to malicious destinations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the drag-and-drop functionality available in Mac OS X operating systems to manipulate the browser's address bar display. When users perform drag-and-drop operations involving web content, the browser fails to properly validate or sanitize the resulting interface changes, allowing attackers to craft specific sequences that alter the address bar presentation. This manipulation occurs through the browser's handling of web content during drag operations, where the interface elements do not properly distinguish between legitimate address bar updates and maliciously constructed spoofed displays. The flaw essentially creates a window where user interaction with drag-and-drop features can be exploited to present false information to users about their current browsing location.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple phishing attacks, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in browser security boundaries. Users who engage with drag-and-drop operations in affected versions may unknowingly navigate to malicious websites while believing they remain on trusted domains, potentially leading to credential theft, malware installation, or financial fraud. The user-assisted nature of this attack means that victims must actively engage with the browser interface, but this requirement does not significantly reduce the threat level since social engineering can easily convince users to perform seemingly benign drag-and-drop operations. This vulnerability specifically affects the browser's user trust model, undermining the fundamental security principle that users should be able to rely on address bar information to verify website authenticity.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-693, which addresses protection mechanism failures in web browsers, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1566, specifically the use of social engineering to manipulate user behavior. The flaw represents a classic case of interface-based deception where the browser's visual presentation fails to accurately reflect the underlying security state. Organizations using affected Opera versions face increased risk of targeted attacks where attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish trust with users before delivering malicious payloads. The Mac OS X platform-specific nature of this vulnerability suggests that the exploitation requires understanding of both the browser's interface handling and the operating system's drag-and-drop implementation, making it more sophisticated than typical cross-platform vulnerabilities but still highly concerning due to its potential for user deception.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrade to Opera version 19 or later, which includes fixes addressing the address bar spoofing vulnerability. System administrators should implement comprehensive browser security policies and user education programs to reduce the risk of exploitation through social engineering. Additional protective measures include monitoring for suspicious drag-and-drop activity patterns and implementing browser security extensions that provide enhanced address bar validation. Organizations should also consider deploying network-based security solutions that can detect and block known malicious patterns associated with address bar spoofing attempts, as well as maintaining updated threat intelligence feeds to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of user interface security in web browsers, where even seemingly minor implementation flaws can create significant security risks through user trust manipulation.