CVE-2018-6041 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Incorrect security UI in navigation in Google Chrome prior to 64.0.3282.119 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 • 02/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6041 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome's user interface handling mechanism that existed prior to version 64.0.3282.119. This issue specifically targeted the Omnibox component which serves as the primary address bar interface where users input URLs and where security indicators are displayed. The flaw allowed malicious actors to manipulate the visual representation of the navigation bar, creating a deceptive user experience that could mislead users about the true destination of their web navigation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploited Chrome's rendering engine to manipulate the visual display of the Omnibox contents during navigation transitions. Attackers could craft specially designed HTML pages that would temporarily display false information in the URL bar, making it appear as though users were visiting a legitimate website when they were actually navigating to a malicious domain. This deception occurred during the brief period between when a user initiated navigation and when the browser fully rendered the new page, creating a window of opportunity for spoofing attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple phishing attempts, as it undermines fundamental trust mechanisms within the browser's security model. Users who rely on visual cues from the Omnibox for security verification could be deceived into entering sensitive information on fraudulent websites, potentially leading to credential theft, financial fraud, or other malicious activities. The vulnerability particularly affects users who depend on the URL bar's security indicators to validate website authenticity before proceeding with sensitive transactions or data entry.
This flaw aligns with CWE-693, which addresses protection mechanism failures, specifically concerning the inadequate protection of user interface elements that provide security context. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1056.001, which involves input injection attacks targeting user interfaces to manipulate user perception and behavior. The attack vector requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through social engineering campaigns or by compromising legitimate websites through cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve updating to Chrome version 64.0.3282.119 or later, which implements proper validation of Omnibox content during navigation transitions. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as network-level filtering to detect and block known malicious domains, user education about the importance of verifying URL authenticity, and regular security audits to ensure all browser components are properly updated. Browser vendors should continue to implement robust sandboxing mechanisms and input validation controls to prevent similar UI manipulation attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and highlights the need for continuous security improvements in user interface components that serve as primary security indicators for end users.