CVE-2018-6068 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Object lifecycle issue in Chrome Custom Tab in Google Chrome prior to 65.0.3325.146 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 • 04/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6068 represents a critical object lifecycle issue within Google Chrome's Custom Tab implementation that existed prior to version 65.0.3325.146. This flaw specifically affected the browser's handling of web content within custom tab interfaces, creating a potential vector for sophisticated phishing attacks and user deception. The vulnerability resides in how Chrome manages the transition and rendering of web content when displaying pages within custom tab environments, particularly when dealing with navigation and content updates. The issue stems from improper handling of object references and lifecycle management during the rendering process, allowing malicious actors to exploit timing and state management gaps in the browser's custom tab functionality.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted HTML page that manipulates the browser's rendering engine to display misleading information in the Omnibox or URL bar. Attackers can leverage this flaw to present fake URLs or content that appears legitimate to users, effectively bypassing standard browser security mechanisms designed to prevent such spoofing attacks. The vulnerability specifically targets the interaction between Chrome's custom tab API and the underlying rendering engine, where the browser fails to properly validate or sanitize content transitions when switching between different web pages or content states. This object lifecycle management failure creates a window where malicious content can temporarily override or manipulate the display of URL information, potentially leading to user confusion and credential theft.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-6068 extends beyond simple user deception, as it represents a significant breach in Chrome's security model for custom tab implementations. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to conduct sophisticated phishing campaigns that could target users of applications leveraging Chrome's custom tab functionality, including mobile applications, web browsers, and enterprise software. The attack surface includes any application that integrates Chrome's custom tab API for displaying web content, making it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users may be less vigilant about URL verification. This flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and trust boundaries within browser security architectures, as it allows untrusted content to manipulate core user interface elements that should remain under the control of the browser's security subsystem.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of Chrome browsers to version 65.0.3325.146 or later, where Google implemented proper object lifecycle management and content validation for custom tab operations. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as network-level monitoring to detect suspicious custom tab behavior, application whitelisting to restrict which applications can utilize Chrome's custom tab API, and user education programs to increase awareness of phishing indicators. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-691, which addresses inadequate object lifecycle management, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 for executing malicious code through browser APIs. Security teams should also monitor for potential exploitation attempts through web traffic analysis and implement network segmentation to limit the impact of successful attacks. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of custom tab implementations within applications to ensure proper handling of content transitions and object references, as well as regular security audits of browser integration points to prevent similar lifecycle management issues from emerging in future implementations.