CVE-2017-2359 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. Safari before 10.0.3 is affected. The issue involves the "Safari" component, which allows remote attackers to spoof the address bar via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2359 represents a critical security flaw in Apple Safari web browser versions prior to 10.0.3. This issue falls under the category of user interface deception attacks where malicious actors can manipulate the browser's address bar display to mislead users about the true origin of web content. The vulnerability specifically affects the Safari component of Apple's ecosystem, making it particularly concerning for users who rely on Apple devices for web browsing activities.
The technical nature of this flaw allows remote attackers to craft malicious websites that can manipulate the visual presentation of the address bar in Safari. This spoofing capability enables attackers to display false domain information, making it appear as though users are visiting legitimate websites when they are actually interacting with malicious content. The vulnerability exploits the browser's rendering engine to create deceptive user interface elements that bypass normal security indicators typically used to verify website authenticity. This type of attack directly undermines the fundamental security principle of web browser security where users must be able to trust the address bar as an accurate representation of their current location.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple deception, as it creates opportunities for sophisticated phishing attacks and credential theft operations. Users who are tricked into believing they are visiting legitimate websites may unknowingly enter sensitive information such as login credentials, financial data, or personal identification details. The attack vector requires no local privileges and can be executed entirely through web-based means, making it particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation. This vulnerability is classified as a user interface spoofing attack that can be leveraged in conjunction with other social engineering techniques to maximize the effectiveness of phishing campaigns.
Organizations and individual users affected by this vulnerability should immediately update to Safari version 10.0.3 or later to remediate the issue. The fix implemented by Apple addresses the underlying rendering mechanism that allowed address bar manipulation and restores proper validation of URL display in the browser interface. Security professionals should also consider implementing additional monitoring measures to detect potential exploitation attempts and educate users about the importance of verifying website authenticity through multiple indicators beyond just the address bar. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering attacks through deceptive UI elements, and CWE-604 which addresses access control vulnerabilities in user interface components. The remediation process should include verification that the update has been properly applied and that no residual malicious content remains in browser caches or stored credentials.