CVE-2018-4102 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. Safari before 11.1 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 • 02/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4102 represents a significant security flaw in Apple Safari web browser versions prior to 11.1. This issue falls under the category of user interface spoofing or address bar spoofing, where malicious actors can deceive users into believing they are visiting a legitimate website when in fact they are interacting with a fraudulent one. The vulnerability specifically affects the Safari component of Apple's ecosystem, making it particularly concerning given Safari's widespread use among Apple device users. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate the browser's address bar display, creating a false sense of security for unsuspecting users who may inadvertently enter sensitive information on compromised sites. This type of vulnerability directly undermines the fundamental trust model of web browsing and represents a critical weakness in the browser's security architecture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the way Safari handles address bar rendering and validation during page loading processes. Attackers can craft malicious websites that manipulate the browser's visual display to show a false URL, often mimicking legitimate domains such as banking institutions or social media platforms. This technique typically involves leveraging cross-site scripting vulnerabilities or manipulating browser rendering engines to present deceptive content while maintaining the actual malicious domain in the background. The flaw operates at the user interface level rather than at the network or protocol level, making it particularly challenging to detect through traditional network monitoring or security scanning tools. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability corresponds to CWE-601, which addresses URL redirection and forward slash handling issues, though the specific implementation involves more sophisticated address bar manipulation techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4102 extends beyond simple phishing attacks to encompass broader security implications for Apple device users and organizations relying on Safari for web-based operations. Users may unknowingly provide sensitive credentials, financial information, or personal data to malicious sites that appear legitimate due to the spoofed address bar. This vulnerability particularly affects mobile and desktop users who rely on Safari for daily browsing activities, creating potential for widespread exploitation across Apple's user base. The attack vector requires no special privileges or complex exploitation techniques, making it accessible to threat actors with basic web development knowledge. Organizations using Apple devices for business operations face increased risk of credential theft and data breaches, as users may not be aware they are interacting with malicious sites. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers spearphishing with a malicious attachment or link, as users may be tricked into trusting the false address bar display.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-4102 primarily focus on immediate browser updates and user education initiatives. Apple's release of Safari 11.1 addressed this vulnerability through enhanced address bar validation and improved rendering mechanisms that prevent malicious manipulation of URL displays. Users should maintain their Safari browsers at the latest versions and enable automatic updates where possible. Security organizations should implement browser hardening policies that include regular security assessments of web applications and user training programs focused on recognizing phishing attempts. Network administrators should monitor for suspicious web traffic patterns and consider implementing additional security layers such as web application firewalls or content filtering solutions. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of multi-factor authentication and security awareness training, as users should be taught to verify URLs through multiple methods beyond relying solely on address bar appearance. Organizations should also consider implementing security tooling that can detect and alert on address bar spoofing attempts, particularly in high-risk environments where sensitive data handling occurs.