CVE-2020-16031 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 01/09/2021
Insufficient data validation in UI in Google Chrome prior to 87.0.4280.66 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 • 05/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-16031 represents a critical user interface spoofing flaw in Google Chrome that existed prior to version 87.0.4280.66. This issue stems from insufficient data validation mechanisms within the browser's user interface components, specifically affecting the Omnibox or URL bar functionality. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate the visual representation of web addresses displayed in the browser's address bar, creating a deceptive user experience that could lead to phishing attacks and other malicious activities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the browser's rendering engine's failure to properly validate and sanitize user input before displaying content in the Omnibox interface. When a malicious website presents crafted HTML content, the browser's UI validation processes are bypassed, enabling attackers to display misleading information in the URL bar. This manipulation occurs at the presentation layer rather than the underlying network communication, making it particularly dangerous as users may be deceived into trusting fraudulent website addresses. The vulnerability specifically targets the browser's trust relationship with users, exploiting the expectation that the Omnibox accurately represents the current website's domain and security status.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-16031 extends beyond simple visual deception to potentially enable sophisticated social engineering attacks. Users may be tricked into believing they are visiting legitimate websites when they are actually interacting with malicious domains, creating opportunities for credential theft, financial fraud, and data exfiltration. The vulnerability operates without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting the malicious webpage, making it particularly insidious in automated attack scenarios. Security researchers have classified this issue under CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation," and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment," as it enables more convincing phishing attempts through UI manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions 87.0.4280.66 and later, which contain the necessary patches to address the insufficient data validation in the UI components. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all Chrome installations are updated promptly. Additional protective measures include user education about the importance of verifying URL addresses, implementing browser security extensions that provide enhanced URL validation, and deploying network monitoring tools that can detect anomalous behavior patterns associated with phishing attempts. The fix implemented by Google likely involved strengthening input sanitization processes within the browser's UI rendering pipeline and enhancing the validation of data presented in the Omnibox interface.