CVE-2019-5873 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Insufficient policy validation in navigation in Google Chrome on iOS prior to 77.0.3865.75 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
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5873 represents a critical policy validation flaw in Google Chrome's implementation of navigation controls on iOS platforms. This issue affected Chrome versions prior to 77.0.3865.75 and specifically targeted the browser's handling of Omnibox content validation during navigation processes. The flaw stems from inadequate enforcement of security policies that govern how browser interfaces display information to users, creating a scenario where malicious actors could manipulate the visual representation of web addresses without compromising the underlying navigation functionality itself.
The technical nature of this vulnerability resides in Chrome's insufficient validation mechanisms that control how the Omnibox displays URL information during page transitions. When users navigate between web pages, the browser typically validates and displays the actual URL address in the Omnibox to maintain user awareness of their current location. However, this particular flaw allowed attackers to craft HTML pages that could manipulate the displayed URL content while maintaining the actual navigation behavior. The vulnerability exploited a gap in the policy enforcement system that should have prevented such content manipulation, effectively creating a spoofing mechanism that could deceive users into believing they were visiting a different website than the one they were actually accessing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple visual deception, as it fundamentally undermines user trust in the browser's interface security. Attackers could craft malicious web pages that display false URL information in the Omnibox, potentially leading to phishing attacks or social engineering campaigns where users might unknowingly navigate to malicious sites. This type of attack directly violates the principle of least privilege in user interface security, as it allows unauthorized modification of critical visual indicators that users rely upon for navigation safety. The vulnerability particularly affects mobile users on iOS platforms who may be less likely to scrutinize URL details compared to desktop users, making the attack vector more effective in real-world scenarios.
The flaw aligns with CWE-602, which addresses client-side enforcement of server-side security policies, and represents a specific case of inadequate input validation in user interface components. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1056.001, which involves input injection attacks, and T1566, covering credential access through social engineering. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor interface validation flaws can create significant security risks when they allow attackers to manipulate user trust mechanisms. Organizations should note that this vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive policy validation across all user interface components, particularly those that provide critical security context to users. The remediation requires updating Chrome to version 77.0.3865.75 or later, which implements proper validation mechanisms to prevent unauthorized modification of Omnibox content during navigation processes.
This vulnerability underscores the critical need for robust security validation in browser interface components, as user trust in navigation indicators directly impacts overall security posture. The implementation of proper policy enforcement mechanisms in the browser's navigation handling code addresses the root cause by ensuring that Omnibox content cannot be manipulated without proper authorization. Security teams should implement monitoring for potential exploitation attempts and ensure all mobile browser platforms receive timely updates to address similar interface-based vulnerabilities that could compromise user security awareness.