CVE-2017-13790 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. Safari before 11.0.1 is affected. The issue involves the "Safari" component. It allows remote attackers to spoof the address bar via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical spoofing flaw in Apple Safari browser that undermines user trust and security expectations. The issue affects Safari versions prior to 11.0.1 and specifically targets the browser's address bar display mechanism, which is fundamental to web security. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to manipulate the visual representation of web addresses, creating a deceptive environment where users cannot reliably distinguish between legitimate and malicious websites.
The technical nature of this flaw involves the browser's rendering engine failing to properly validate or display URL information in the address bar when encountering crafted web content. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of user interface spoofing or phishing attacks that exploit the trust users place in visual indicators. The flaw demonstrates how browser components can be manipulated to present misleading information without requiring direct code execution or system compromise, making it particularly dangerous for end users who rely on address bar verification for security.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for users conducting sensitive online activities such as banking, shopping, or accessing confidential information. Attackers can exploit this flaw by hosting malicious websites that display fake addresses, potentially leading to credential theft, financial fraud, or data breaches. The impact extends beyond individual users to enterprise environments where browser security is crucial for protecting organizational assets and maintaining compliance with security standards. This vulnerability directly relates to attack techniques described in the attack pattern taxonomy under spoofing and deception methods.
The security implications of this flaw align with common weakness enumerations such as CWE-601, which addresses URL redirector vulnerabilities, and CWE-20, which covers input validation issues. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor interface elements can become critical attack vectors when proper validation mechanisms are absent. Organizations should consider this issue in their risk assessment frameworks and ensure timely patch deployment to protect against potential exploitation. The remediation process involves updating to Safari 11.0.1 or later versions, which implement proper address bar validation mechanisms that prevent the manipulation of URL display information.
This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining comprehensive browser security updates and demonstrates how user interface elements require the same level of security scrutiny as core system components. The flaw represents a failure in the browser's security model to properly isolate and validate address bar content, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security controls that users rely upon for protection. Organizations should implement multi-layered security approaches that include browser updates, user education, and monitoring for suspicious web activity to mitigate risks associated with such spoofing vulnerabilities. The incident underscores the critical need for continuous security assessment of all browser components, particularly those that directly interact with user trust mechanisms and security indicators.