CVE-2015-5767 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
The user interface in Safari in Apple iOS before 9 allows remote attackers to spoof URLs via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-5764 and CVE-2015-5765.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5767 represents a significant user interface flaw in Apple iOS Safari browsers prior to version 9.0, enabling remote attackers to manipulate URL display in ways that could deceive users into believing they are visiting legitimate websites when actually accessing malicious ones. This vulnerability specifically targets the browser's address bar rendering mechanism, creating an environment where attackers can exploit visual spoofing techniques to manipulate user perception of website authenticity. The issue falls under the broader category of UI redressing attacks, where the user interface itself becomes a vector for deception rather than traditional code execution or data manipulation.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves leveraging unspecified vectors within Safari's rendering engine that allow attackers to modify how URLs appear in the browser's address bar or related interface elements. The flaw demonstrates a weakness in input validation and output encoding within the browser's user interface components, particularly around how web addresses are displayed to users. This represents a classic case of insufficient output escaping and inadequate user interface validation that could be categorized under CWE-79 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, which deals with cross-site scripting vulnerabilities and user interface manipulation. The vulnerability specifically impacts the trust relationship between users and the browser interface, undermining the fundamental security principle of user verification.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5767 extends beyond simple phishing attacks, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple web interactions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to create convincing fake websites that appear legitimate to users, potentially leading to credential theft, financial fraud, or data exfiltration. The vulnerability affects all iOS devices running versions prior to 9.0, representing a substantial attack surface given the widespread adoption of iOS devices. This flaw operates in the context of the attacker's ability to manipulate the visual presentation of web content without necessarily controlling the underlying network traffic or server responses, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users rely heavily on visual cues for security verification.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates to iOS version 9.0 or later, where Apple implemented fixes to address the URL display manipulation capabilities. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as browser security extensions, enhanced user education about URL verification techniques, and network monitoring tools that can detect suspicious URL patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of user interface components, as these elements often receive less scrutiny than backend code. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework under the T1566 technique category, which involves social engineering through deceptive user interfaces and the manipulation of user trust mechanisms. This vulnerability underscores the critical nature of user interface security and the necessity of treating visual elements as potential attack vectors in comprehensive security architectures.