CVE-2015-7093 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
Safari in Apple iOS before 9.2 allows remote attackers to spoof a URL in the user interface via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-7093 represents a significant user interface spoofing flaw within Apple iOS Safari browser versions prior to 9.2. This issue enables remote attackers to manipulate the browser's address bar display, creating a deceptive user interface that can mislead users about the actual destination of their web navigation. The flaw specifically affects the visual representation of URLs within Safari's user interface, allowing malicious actors to present misleading information to unsuspecting users who may believe they are visiting a legitimate website when in fact they are interacting with a fraudulent page.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and sanitization of URL display elements within Safari's rendering engine. When a malicious website is crafted with specific HTML and JavaScript elements, it can manipulate how the browser presents the URL in the address bar, potentially displaying a fake domain or path that differs from the actual server address. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-601 vulnerability category, which specifically addresses URL redirector abuse and user interface deception mechanisms. The flaw exploits the browser's trust model where users inherently expect the displayed URL to accurately represent the website they are visiting, creating a dangerous gap between perceived security and actual security posture.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a substantial risk for users who may unknowingly enter sensitive information on spoofed websites or be redirected to malicious content. Attackers could leverage this flaw to create convincing phishing campaigns by displaying legitimate-looking URLs while actually routing users to fraudulent sites designed to capture credentials, financial information, or personal data. The vulnerability particularly affects users who rely on visual URL cues for security verification, as the deception occurs at the most fundamental level of web browser trust. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1071.001 for Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols and T1566 for Phishing, as it enables the creation of convincing deceptive web interfaces that can bypass user security awareness and traditional browser security mechanisms.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability involves updating to Apple iOS 9.2 or later versions, which contain patches that address the URL display validation issues within Safari. Users should also exercise heightened caution when navigating to websites, particularly when entering sensitive information, and verify that the URL displayed in the address bar matches their expectations. Security administrators should ensure that all iOS devices within their organization are updated to the latest security patches and consider implementing additional security layers such as content filtering solutions or browser security extensions that can detect and block suspicious URL patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security software and highlights the need for continuous monitoring of security advisories from vendors to address emerging threats in web browser environments.