CVE-2018-4116 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 • 02/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4116 represents a critical security flaw in Apple Safari web browser versions prior to 11.1. This issue resides within the Safari component of Apple's operating systems and specifically affects the browser's address bar display functionality. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to manipulate the visual representation of web addresses, creating a deceptive user experience that can lead to significant security implications. The flaw fundamentally compromises the browser's ability to accurately display domain information, which is a critical security feature designed to protect users from phishing attacks and malicious websites.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the browser's rendering engine to manipulate how URL information is presented to users. Attackers can craft malicious websites that display misleading address bar content, making it appear as though they are visiting a legitimate and trusted domain when in reality they are accessing a malicious site. This type of attack falls under the category of user interface deception and can be particularly dangerous because it directly undermines the user's ability to verify website authenticity. The vulnerability operates at the presentation layer of the browser, where the address bar content is rendered, allowing attackers to bypass normal security mechanisms that would typically prevent such manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple deception, creating potential pathways for sophisticated phishing campaigns and credential theft operations. When users cannot trust the address bar information, they become more susceptible to social engineering attacks that rely on visual trust indicators. This vulnerability particularly affects users who rely on Safari for their daily browsing activities, as it undermines fundamental security assumptions about URL verification. The attack vector is entirely remote, meaning users can be compromised simply by visiting a malicious website without any additional interaction required from the user. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users may be less security-aware or when the attack occurs in public browsing scenarios.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a variant of UI redressing and spoofing attacks that target user trust mechanisms within web browsers. The flaw aligns with CWE-693, which addresses protection mechanism failures, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1071.001 for application layer protocol. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Safari versions to prevent exploitation, while also implementing additional security measures such as browser security extensions, network monitoring for suspicious URL patterns, and user education programs about recognizing phishing attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and highlights how even seemingly minor UI elements can represent significant security risks when compromised.