CVE-2017-15386 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Incorrect implementation in Blink in Google Chrome prior to 62.0.3202.62 allowed a remote attacker to spoof the contents of the Omnibox (URL bar) via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15386 represents a critical security flaw in the Blink rendering engine that powers Google Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers. This issue stems from an improper handling of HTML content that allows malicious actors to manipulate the visual representation of the browser's address bar, potentially deceiving users about the true destination of their navigation. The vulnerability specifically affects Chrome versions prior to 62.0.3202.62, making it a significant concern for users operating outdated browser versions.
The technical implementation flaw resides in how Blink processes and renders certain HTML elements within the browser interface, particularly those related to the Omnibox component. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that exploit this vulnerability to display misleading information in the address bar, creating a false sense of security for users who believe they are visiting a legitimate website. This spoofing capability operates through manipulation of HTML rendering processes that should normally be protected from user-controlled content interference, effectively bypassing the browser's normal security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple visual deception, as it creates a potential attack vector for phishing operations and social engineering campaigns. Users who are tricked into believing they are visiting a trusted website may unknowingly enter sensitive information such as credentials, financial data, or personal identifiers. This vulnerability directly undermines the trust model that browsers establish with users and can be leveraged in sophisticated attacks where attackers combine this spoofing capability with other techniques to maximize their effectiveness. The attack requires no special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage, making it particularly dangerous in automated attack scenarios.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-601 and CWE-79, representing URL redirection issues and cross-site scripting vulnerabilities respectively. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1566 (Phishing) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as it enables attackers to create convincing phishing pages and potentially execute additional malicious code through the compromised interface. The vulnerability demonstrates how interface-level security flaws can be exploited to undermine fundamental user trust mechanisms, requiring browser vendors to implement robust input validation and rendering controls. Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate browser updates, user education regarding the importance of keeping software current, and enhanced monitoring of browser interface integrity through security tools that can detect such spoofing attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security layers such as content security policies and browser hardening measures to reduce the attack surface available to threat actors exploiting this class of vulnerability.