CVE-2015-6583 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 45.0.2454.85 does not display a location bar for a hosted app's window after navigation away from the installation site, which might make it easier for remote attackers to spoof content via a crafted app, related to browser.cc and hosted_app_browser_controller.cc.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-6583 affects Google Chrome versions prior to 45.0.2454.85 and relates to a critical security flaw in the browser's handling of hosted applications. This issue specifically impacts the user interface presentation of hosted app windows, creating a potential attack vector for malicious actors seeking to deceive users through content spoofing. The flaw manifests in the browser's failure to properly display the location bar when users navigate away from a hosted application's installation site, thereby removing crucial visual indicators that would normally help users verify the authenticity of the current web page.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the browser.cc and hosted_app_browser_controller.cc source files, which govern how Chrome manages the user interface elements for hosted applications. When a hosted app is installed and subsequently navigated away from its original installation domain, the browser's interface logic fails to maintain the location bar visibility, which serves as a critical security indicator for users. This behavior creates a window of opportunity for attackers to exploit the lack of visual verification mechanisms, particularly when the hosted app navigates to malicious domains that appear legitimate due to the absence of location bar information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple user interface confusion, representing a significant threat to user security and trust in the browser environment. Attackers can leverage this flaw to craft malicious hosted applications that appear to be legitimate extensions or services, potentially leading to phishing attacks, credential theft, or other malicious activities. The absence of the location bar makes it significantly easier for users to be deceived into believing they are interacting with a trusted application when they are actually engaging with malicious content, particularly since hosted applications often have elevated privileges and can access user data more freely than regular web pages.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under the technique of credential access and social engineering. The flaw represents a failure in the browser's user interface security controls that should prevent confusion between legitimate and malicious content. The vulnerability also relates to CWE-602, which addresses client-side attack vectors where the client application fails to properly validate or display information that would help users make informed security decisions. Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability should immediately update to Chrome version 45.0.2454.85 or later, which implements proper location bar display logic for hosted applications. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing browser hardening policies that enforce automatic updates and monitor for suspicious hosted application behavior, particularly in environments where users may be exposed to untrusted third-party applications.
The remediation process for this vulnerability requires not only updating the Chrome browser to the patched version but also implementing broader security awareness training for users to recognize potential spoofing attempts. Security professionals should also consider monitoring network traffic for suspicious hosted application navigation patterns and implementing application whitelisting policies where appropriate. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and highlights how seemingly minor UI flaws can have significant security implications, particularly in environments where users interact with numerous third-party applications and services.