CVE-2015-3830 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The stock Android browser address bar in all Android operating systems suffers from Address Bar Spoofing, which allows remote attackers to trick a victim by displaying a malicious page for legitimate domain names.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2019
The CVE-2015-3830 vulnerability represents a critical address bar spoofing flaw in the stock Android browser that affects all versions of the Android operating system. This vulnerability exploits the browser's handling of URL display and navigation indicators, creating a deceptive user interface that can mislead users into believing they are visiting a legitimate website when they are actually interacting with a malicious page. The flaw fundamentally undermines user trust in the browser's visual security indicators and represents a significant bypass of the browser's security model.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from how the Android browser processes and displays URL information during page transitions and navigation events. Attackers can manipulate the browser's address bar display to show a legitimate domain name while actually serving content from a different, potentially malicious origin. This occurs through careful manipulation of the browser's rendering pipeline and URL handling mechanisms, often leveraging cross-site scripting vulnerabilities or malicious content delivery methods to achieve the spoofing effect. The vulnerability specifically affects the browser's ability to maintain consistent and accurate display of the current navigation context, creating a mismatch between what users see and what they are actually accessing.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3830 extends far beyond simple phishing attacks, as it represents a fundamental weakness in the browser's security architecture that can be exploited to bypass user security expectations. Users who rely on visual cues from the address bar for security verification become vulnerable to sophisticated social engineering attacks where attackers can present fake banking, e-commerce, or social media interfaces that appear legitimate. This vulnerability enables man-in-the-middle attacks, credential harvesting, and data exfiltration operations that can be executed without user awareness or suspicion. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages the browser's own trust mechanisms against users, making it difficult to distinguish between legitimate and malicious content based on visual indicators alone.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a variant of CWE-601 which addresses URL redirect vulnerabilities and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers spearphishing with malicious attachments or links. The remediation strategy involves comprehensive browser updates and security patches from Google, along with user education about the importance of verifying URL authenticity through multiple means. Organizations should implement additional security measures such as web application firewalls, DNS filtering, and user awareness training to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the need for more robust browser security models that prevent visual deception through proper isolation of navigation contexts and consistent display of security indicators across all browsing activities.