CVE-2016-5187 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome prior to 54.0.2840.85 for Android incorrectly handled rapid transition into and out of full screen mode, which allowed a remote attacker to spoof the contents of the Omnibox (URL bar) via crafted HTML pages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5187 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome versions prior to 54.0.2840.85 on Android platforms. This issue stems from improper handling of rapid transitions between normal and full screen modes within the browser interface, creating a window of opportunity for malicious actors to exploit the user interface rendering process. The vulnerability specifically affects the Omnibox component which displays the URL and other navigation information, making it a prime target for phishing and spoofing attacks that can deceive users about the actual website they are visiting.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the browser's failure to properly validate and render interface elements during rapid state transitions. When users quickly switch between full screen and normal display modes, the browser's rendering engine does not adequately synchronize the display of the Omnibox with the actual page content. This creates a race condition where crafted HTML pages can manipulate the visual presentation of the address bar, potentially displaying misleading information that appears to be the legitimate website URL. The vulnerability operates at the user interface layer rather than at the network or protocol level, making it particularly insidious as it exploits the trust users place in their browser's visual indicators.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to conduct sophisticated phishing campaigns and social engineering attacks. The ability to spoof the Omnibox means that malicious actors can display fake URLs that closely resemble legitimate websites, potentially tricking users into entering sensitive information such as login credentials, financial data, or personal identifiers. The attack vector requires only a crafted HTML page that can trigger rapid screen transitions, making it easily deployable through various means including malicious websites, email attachments, or compromised web services. This vulnerability directly impacts user trust in the browser's security mechanisms and can lead to significant financial and data loss incidents when successful.
The security implications extend beyond simple URL spoofing to encompass broader user interface deception capabilities that can be leveraged in combination with other attack vectors. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-122, which addresses buffer overflow conditions in user interface components, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1056.001 for input injection attacks that manipulate user interface elements. The flaw demonstrates the critical importance of proper state management and interface synchronization in browser applications, particularly on mobile platforms where screen transitions occur more frequently. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Chrome versions and implement additional security measures such as user education about URL verification and browser security indicators to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation through official Chrome updates, while also implementing network-level protections such as content filtering and web application firewalls. Browser security policies should include regular security assessments of user interface components and proper handling of rapid state transitions. Users should be trained to verify URL authenticity through multiple indicators rather than relying solely on visual appearance, and organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as certificate pinning and enhanced browser hardening measures to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of user interface components and proper synchronization mechanisms during application state changes to prevent similar issues in future implementations.