CVE-2019-13701 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Incorrect implementation in navigation in Google Chrome prior to 78.0.3904.70 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 • 02/27/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical user interface spoofing flaw in Google Chrome's navigation implementation that could enable remote attackers to deceive users into believing they are visiting legitimate websites while actually being presented with malicious content. The issue stems from an improper handling of navigation events within the browser's user interface components, specifically affecting the Omnibox display mechanism that users rely upon for verifying website authenticity. The vulnerability exists in Chrome versions prior to 78.0.3904.70 and demonstrates a fundamental failure in maintaining the integrity of the browser's address bar display system. Attackers could craft malicious HTML pages that manipulate the navigation process to display false URL information, potentially leading users to trust fraudulent websites and exposing them to phishing attacks or other malicious activities. This flaw directly impacts the browser's security model by undermining the user's ability to verify website identity through the Omnibox interface. The technical implementation error occurs during the navigation handling process where the browser fails to properly validate or sanitize the URL information before displaying it in the Omnibox. This allows attackers to inject crafted content that appears legitimate to users while the underlying navigation actually leads to malicious destinations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-601 open redirect vulnerabilities and represents a significant bypass of the browser's security mechanisms designed to protect users from deceptive web content. From an operational perspective, this flaw could enable sophisticated phishing campaigns where attackers craft pages that display convincing fake URLs to trick users into entering sensitive information or downloading malware. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it targets the most fundamental element of web browsing security - the ability to verify website authenticity through the address bar. This vulnerability also connects to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 by enabling credential harvesting through deceptive phishing interfaces and T1071.001 by leveraging web protocols for malicious navigation. The impact extends beyond simple deception as it can facilitate more complex attacks including man-in-the-middle scenarios where attackers can manipulate user expectations about their browsing context. Organizations should note that this vulnerability specifically affects Chrome's user interface rendering rather than core security mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous as it exploits user trust in the browser's visual feedback systems. The remediation requires updating to Chrome version 78.0.3904.70 or later, which implements proper validation of navigation events and ensures that Omnibox content accurately reflects the actual destination of web navigation. Security professionals should monitor for indicators of compromise related to suspicious navigation patterns or unexpected Omnibox behavior, as this vulnerability can be exploited in targeted attacks against specific user groups or organizations. The flaw demonstrates the importance of maintaining rigorous validation processes for user interface elements that are critical to security awareness and user trust in web browsing environments.