CVE-2017-7106 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 11 is affected. Safari before 11 is affected. iCloud before 7.0 on Windows is affected. The issue involves the "WebKit" component. It allows remote attackers to spoof the address bar.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7106 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's WebKit rendering engine that affects multiple platforms and applications. This issue specifically targets the address bar spoofing capability, which allows malicious actors to manipulate the visual representation of web addresses displayed in browsers. The vulnerability exists in iOS versions prior to 11.0, Safari versions before 11.0, and iCloud versions before 7.0 on Windows platforms, demonstrating the widespread impact across Apple's ecosystem. The WebKit component serves as the core rendering engine for Apple's web browsers and applications, making this vulnerability particularly concerning as it undermines fundamental security mechanisms that users rely upon for website authentication.
The technical nature of this flaw enables remote attackers to exploit the WebKit engine's handling of address bar display mechanisms, allowing them to present misleading URL information to users. This spoofing capability operates by manipulating how the browser renders the address bar content, potentially displaying a fake domain or path that differs from the actual website being visited. The vulnerability specifically leverages weaknesses in the WebKit component's security model, where the address bar display does not properly validate or sanitize the URL information being presented to users. This allows attackers to create convincing facades that can deceive users into believing they are visiting legitimate websites when they are actually interacting with malicious content. The flaw operates at a fundamental level of browser security, bypassing user expectations of address bar authenticity and creating potential vectors for phishing attacks and credential theft.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7106 extends beyond simple deception, as it creates significant risks for user authentication and data protection across Apple's platform ecosystem. Users who encounter spoofed address bars may unknowingly enter sensitive information on fraudulent websites, believing they are on legitimate domains. This vulnerability directly contradicts the core security principle that users should be able to trust the address bar as an indicator of website authenticity, which is a fundamental component of web security standards. The attack surface is particularly broad given that the vulnerability affects multiple platforms including mobile and desktop operating systems, making it a comprehensive threat across Apple's user base. Security researchers have categorized this type of vulnerability under CWE-601 as URL Redirection, which specifically addresses the risk of attackers manipulating URL display to deceive users. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Phishing, where the spoofed address bar serves as an enhanced delivery mechanism for malicious content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7106 require immediate platform updates and user awareness measures to address the spoofing capabilities. Apple's recommended solution involves updating to iOS 11.0 and later versions, Safari 11.0 and later, and iCloud 7.0 and later on Windows platforms. These updates implement enhanced validation mechanisms within the WebKit engine to prevent address bar manipulation and ensure that displayed URLs accurately represent the actual web content being rendered. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including user education about address bar verification, implementation of security tooling that monitors for suspicious URL patterns, and deployment of network-based detection systems that can identify potential spoofing attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current software versions and demonstrates how browser security features can be undermined through engine-level flaws. Security professionals should monitor for similar address bar spoofing vulnerabilities and implement comprehensive testing procedures to validate that browser components properly handle URL display mechanisms, ensuring that user trust in navigation elements remains intact.