CVE-2018-7635 in Whale Browser
Summary
by MITRE
Whale Browser before 1.0.41.8 displays no URL information but only a title of a web page on the browser's address bar when visiting a blank page, which allows an attacker to display a malicious web page with a fake domain name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7635 affects Whale Browser versions prior to 1.0.41.8 and represents a significant user interface deception flaw that undermines browser security. This issue stems from the browser's handling of blank pages where instead of displaying the actual URL in the address bar, only the web page's title is shown to users. This behavior creates a dangerous misrepresentation of the browsing context that can be exploited by malicious actors to craft deceptive user experiences.
The technical flaw manifests in the browser's address bar rendering mechanism where blank page content fails to properly populate URL information. When a user navigates to a blank page, the browser should display the actual domain or URL being accessed, but instead shows only the page title, creating an interface that can be manipulated by attackers. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-604, which addresses the improper handling of URL display in web browsers, and represents a form of UI redressing that can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1056.001 for input injection and T1547.001 for registry run keys manipulation when considering the broader attack surface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it enables sophisticated phishing attacks and social engineering campaigns. Attackers can create malicious web pages that display fake domain names in the title while the actual URL remains hidden, making it extremely difficult for users to distinguish between legitimate and malicious sites. This deception is particularly dangerous because users rely heavily on address bar information to verify website authenticity, and the absence of URL information removes a critical security indicator. The vulnerability essentially undermines the browser's core security feature of URL visibility, which is fundamental to preventing man-in-the-middle attacks and credential theft.
Mitigation strategies should focus on updating to Whale Browser version 1.0.41.8 or later where the URL display functionality has been corrected. Security administrators should also implement additional user education programs to highlight the importance of verifying URLs through alternative means when browsing. Organizations can deploy network monitoring solutions to detect suspicious URL patterns and implement browser security policies that enforce strict URL display requirements. The fix for this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper browser security architecture, particularly in how user interfaces handle information display, and serves as a reminder that seemingly minor UI elements can have significant security implications when not properly implemented according to security best practices and standards.