CVE-2016-1707 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
ios/web/web_state/ui/crw_web_controller.mm in Google Chrome before 52.0.2743.82 on iOS does not ensure that an invalid URL is replaced with the about:blank URL, which allows remote attackers to spoof the URL display via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1707 resides within the iOS implementation of Google Chrome's web controller component, specifically in the file crw_web_controller.mm. This flaw represents a critical issue in the browser's URL validation and display mechanisms, where the application fails to properly sanitize or replace invalid URLs with the standard about:blank placeholder. The vulnerability affects Chrome versions prior to 52.0.2743.82 on iOS platforms, creating a significant security gap that could be exploited by malicious actors to manipulate user perceptions of web content.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the web controller's URL handling logic. When a web page attempts to navigate to an invalid URL, the system should automatically substitute this with about:blank to prevent misleading display. However, the iOS Chrome implementation fails to enforce this substitution, allowing attackers to craft malicious websites that can manipulate the URL bar display. This behavior creates a deceptive environment where users may believe they are visiting a legitimate site while actually encountering malicious content. The flaw operates at the application layer, specifically within the user interface rendering components that manage web navigation states.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple display manipulation to encompass potential phishing attacks and social engineering exploits. Attackers can leverage this weakness to make users believe they are navigating to trusted domains while actually directing them to malicious sites. This deception could lead to credential theft, malware distribution, or other malicious activities that rely on user trust in the displayed URL. The vulnerability affects all iOS users of affected Chrome versions and represents a significant risk to user security and privacy. The attack vector requires only a malicious website that can trigger the specific URL handling flaw, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring additional user interaction or privilege escalation.
This vulnerability maps to CWE-20, which describes "Improper Input Validation," and specifically relates to CWE-601, "URL Redirection to Untrusted Site ('Open Redirect')." The flaw also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell", though more directly with T1566, "Phishing", as it enables more sophisticated phishing campaigns. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in the principle of least privilege and input sanitization, where the browser should have automatically protected users from potentially harmful URL manipulations. Mitigation strategies include immediate upgrade to Chrome version 52.0.2743.82 or later, which implements proper URL validation and replacement mechanisms. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as URL filtering and content security policies to reduce the risk of exploitation. Users should be educated about the importance of verifying URLs and being cautious when navigating to unfamiliar sites, particularly when the displayed URL does not match the expected domain or when encountering unexpected navigation behavior.