CVE-2019-8727 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
A logic issue was addressed with improved state management. This issue is fixed in iOS 13. Visiting a malicious website may lead to address bar spoofing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8727 represents a significant security flaw in Apple's iOS operating system that was resolved in iOS 13. This issue stems from inadequate state management within the browser component, creating conditions where malicious actors could manipulate the user interface to deceive visitors about the true origin of web content. The vulnerability specifically enables address bar spoofing, a technique that tricks users into believing they are visiting a legitimate website when in fact they are interacting with malicious content. The flaw exploits the browser's handling of navigation states and visual indicators, allowing attackers to present false information about the website address during page loading or transition phases.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-691, which addresses inadequate state management in web browsers and user agents. This weakness specifically affects the browser's user interface components that display website addresses and security indicators. When users navigate to a malicious site, the browser's state management system fails to properly synchronize the displayed address bar with the actual page content, creating a window of opportunity for attackers to display deceptive information. The issue demonstrates how poor state handling can lead to user confusion and potential security breaches, particularly when combined with other social engineering techniques.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses serious risks to user security and trust in web browsing activities. Address bar spoofing attacks can lead to credential theft, financial fraud, and data compromise when users are deceived into entering sensitive information on malicious sites that appear legitimate. The attack vector through malicious websites means that users can be compromised simply by visiting compromised pages, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter untrusted web content. The vulnerability affects all iOS versions prior to iOS 13, leaving millions of users exposed to potential attacks that could be executed without any special privileges or technical expertise from the attacker.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-8727 center around updating to iOS 13 or later versions where Apple implemented improved state management controls. Organizations should ensure their mobile device management policies enforce automatic updates for iOS devices to protect against this and similar vulnerabilities. Users should be educated about the importance of verifying website addresses, particularly when entering sensitive information, and should be trained to recognize potential spoofing attempts. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, including suspicious browser behavior or unexpected navigation patterns. The fix implemented by Apple addresses the root cause through enhanced state synchronization mechanisms that ensure the address bar accurately reflects the current page context throughout the browsing experience. This remediation aligns with best practices outlined in the OWASP Mobile Top 10 and follows established security principles for preventing user interface deception attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing additional browser security measures such as content security policies and enhanced phishing protection to provide defense in depth against similar vulnerabilities.