CVE-2018-17464 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Incorrect handling of history on iOS in Navigation in Google Chrome prior to 70.0.3538.67 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 • 06/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17464 represents a significant security flaw in Google Chrome's implementation of browser navigation history handling on iOS devices. This issue stems from improper management of the browser's navigation stack, which directly impacts the integrity of the Omnibox display mechanism that users rely upon for verifying website authenticity. The vulnerability specifically affects Chrome versions prior to 70.0.3538.67 and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation details in browser architecture can create substantial security risks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through crafted HTML pages that manipulate the browser's history management system. When a user navigates to a maliciously constructed webpage, the attacker can manipulate the browser's history state in a way that causes the Omnibox to display misleading information about the current page. This manipulation exploits the underlying architecture where Chrome maintains navigation history records that are used to populate the address bar, creating a spoofing condition that can deceive users into believing they are visiting a legitimate website when they are actually viewing a different page.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple user deception, as it creates opportunities for sophisticated phishing attacks and man-in-the-middle scenarios. Attackers can craft pages that display trusted domain names or SSL certificate information in the Omnibox while actually loading malicious content, potentially leading to credential theft, financial fraud, or data exfiltration. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of user trust in browser security indicators and undermines the fundamental security model that users depend upon when browsing the web. The issue is particularly concerning in mobile environments where users may have less visual awareness of navigation changes and rely heavily on the Omnibox for security verification.
This vulnerability maps to CWE-200, which addresses the improper exposure of sensitive information, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1056.001 for input validation and T1566.001 for phishing. The flaw represents a failure in proper input sanitization and history state management, creating a vector for information disclosure and social engineering attacks. The remediation involves updating Chrome to version 70.0.3538.67 or later, where the navigation history handling has been corrected to properly validate and manage history state changes. Organizations should implement immediate patch management protocols and consider browser security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in their browser deployment configurations. Additionally, user awareness training should emphasize the importance of verifying SSL certificates and domain names even when the browser interface appears to indicate a legitimate connection.