CVE-2020-6565 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Inappropriate implementation in Omnibox in Google Chrome on iOS prior to 85.0.4183.83 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 • 09/22/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome's implementation of the Omnibox component on iOS platforms. The issue stems from an inadequate validation mechanism that fails to properly sanitize or verify the content displayed in the browser's address bar, creating a potential vector for sophisticated phishing attacks. The flaw specifically affects Chrome versions prior to 85.0.4183.83 on iOS devices, where the browser's user interface does not adequately distinguish between legitimate and malicious content within the Omnibox display area.
The technical implementation error occurs when Chrome processes HTML content that attempts to manipulate the visual presentation of the address bar. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that exploit the browser's rendering logic to display deceptive information in the Omnibox, potentially showing fake URLs or misleading domain names that appear to be from trusted sources. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically targeting the browser's user interface components rather than traditional web application security flaws. The flaw demonstrates a failure in input validation and output encoding mechanisms that should prevent malicious content from influencing the browser's visual elements.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is particularly severe given the nature of the Omnibox as a primary trust indicator for users. When successfully exploited, attackers can create convincing fake browser interfaces that trick users into believing they are visiting legitimate websites, potentially leading to credential theft, financial fraud, or data exfiltration. Users may unknowingly enter sensitive information on pages that appear to be from trusted domains due to the spoofed Omnibox display. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential harvesting through phishing, as it creates an environment where users are more likely to trust malicious websites due to the deceptive visual cues provided by the compromised browser interface.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns. The attack vector demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of browser security boundaries, as it targets the trust relationship between users and the browser interface itself. Security researchers have noted that this flaw represents a breakdown in the browser's security model, where the visual trust indicators that users rely upon become unreliable. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining strict separation between user interface elements and potentially malicious content, particularly in mobile browser environments where user attention is often divided.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate updates to Chrome on iOS devices to version 85.0.4183.83 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the Omnibox spoofing vulnerability. Organizations should implement additional security measures such as network-level filtering to detect and block known malicious domains, while also educating users about the importance of verifying URLs directly rather than relying solely on visual cues from the browser interface. Browser security teams should also consider implementing additional checks for content that attempts to manipulate the visual presentation of browser components, ensuring that user interface elements maintain their integrity and cannot be easily spoofed by malicious actors.