CVE-2019-13672 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Incorrect security UI in Omnibox in Google Chrome prior to 77.0.3865.75 allowed a remote attacker to potentially spoof the contents of the Omnibox (URL bar) via a crafted HTML page on iOS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-13672 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome's Omnibox implementation on iOS platforms. This issue stems from an improper handling of security user interface elements that allows malicious actors to manipulate the visual representation of web addresses displayed in the browser's address bar. The vulnerability specifically affects Chrome versions prior to 77.0.3865.75, creating a window of opportunity for attackers to deceive users through carefully crafted HTML content that exploits the browser's trust model.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of the Omnibox's security indicators and visual presentation elements. When a user navigates to a maliciously crafted webpage, the browser's interface can be deceived into displaying misleading information about the website's identity or security status. This occurs because the security UI elements that normally verify and display the legitimacy of web addresses fail to properly validate or render the information when processing certain HTML constructs on iOS devices. The flaw essentially allows attackers to create a false sense of security by making malicious sites appear as legitimate ones within the browser's address bar interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple visual deception, as it can enable sophisticated phishing attacks and man-in-the-middle scenarios. Attackers can exploit this weakness to make malicious websites appear trustworthy, potentially leading users to unknowingly enter sensitive information or perform actions they would not otherwise undertake. The iOS-specific nature of this vulnerability means that users of mobile Chrome browsers are particularly at risk, as the mobile operating system's security model may not provide the same level of protection against such UI manipulation as desktop environments. This vulnerability directly undermines user trust in the browser's security warnings and validation mechanisms, potentially enabling credential theft, financial fraud, and other malicious activities.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-693, which addresses protection mechanism failures, specifically concerning the improper implementation of security UI elements. It also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and control communications, as the deception created by this vulnerability can facilitate further malicious activities. The flaw demonstrates how user interface elements, when not properly secured, can become attack vectors that bypass traditional security controls. Organizations should prioritize updating affected Chrome installations to version 77.0.3865.75 or later, as this patch addresses the core issue by implementing proper validation of Omnibox content rendering. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize the importance of verifying website addresses through multiple means, as the browser's visual indicators may no longer be reliable. Network monitoring solutions should also be configured to detect and alert on suspicious HTML content that might attempt to exploit this or similar vulnerabilities in web browsers.