CVE-2018-4205 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. Safari before 11.1.1 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 • 03/20/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4205 represents a critical security flaw in Apple Safari browser versions prior to 11.1.1, specifically affecting the Safari component of Apple's ecosystem. This issue enables remote attackers to manipulate the browser's address bar display through carefully crafted websites, creating a deceptive user experience that could lead to significant security consequences. The flaw resides in how Safari handles URL display and rendering, particularly when processing certain web content that can override or mimic the legitimate address bar information.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-693 category of Protection Mechanism Failure, specifically relating to the browser's inability to properly validate and display URL information. The technical implementation flaw occurs at the rendering layer where Safari fails to adequately distinguish between legitimate domain information and maliciously crafted content that can manipulate the address bar appearance. Attackers can exploit this by hosting specially crafted web pages that contain JavaScript or HTML elements designed to override the browser's address bar display, making it appear as though users are visiting a trusted domain when they are actually navigating to a malicious site.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4205 extends beyond simple user confusion, creating potential vectors for phishing attacks, credential theft, and other malicious activities that rely on user trust in the address bar. When users observe what appears to be a legitimate website URL in the address bar, they may unknowingly enter sensitive information or download malicious content. This vulnerability directly impacts the browser's security model and user trust mechanisms, potentially enabling attackers to bypass security controls that depend on address bar verification. The attack surface is particularly concerning given Safari's widespread use across Apple devices and the implicit trust users place in address bar information.
From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability maps to the ATT&CK technique T1071.001 for application layer protocol usage and T1566 for credential access through social engineering. The exploit requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns. Mitigation strategies should include immediate updating to Safari 11.1.1 or later versions, as well as implementing additional security measures such as address bar validation monitoring and user education about the importance of verifying URLs through multiple means beyond just address bar appearance. Organizations should also consider implementing browser security policies that enforce stricter content validation and monitoring for suspicious URL patterns that could indicate this type of spoofing attack.