CVE-2022-0112 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE • 02/12/2022
Incorrect security UI in Browser UI in Google Chrome prior to 97.0.4692.71 allowed a remote attacker to display missing URL or incorrect URL via a crafted URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical user interface security flaw in Google Chrome browsers prior to version 97.0.4692.71 that could be exploited by remote attackers to manipulate the display of web addresses in the browser's user interface. The issue stems from improper validation and handling of URL components within the browser's security UI elements, specifically affecting how the browser renders and displays web addresses to users. The vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-601, URL Redirection to Untrusted Site, and more specifically addresses CWE-20, Improper Input Validation, within the context of browser security user interfaces. This flaw allows attackers to craft malicious URLs that could cause the browser to display incorrect or misleading information to users, potentially enabling phishing attacks or other social engineering exploits.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the browser's handling of URL parsing and display mechanisms within its security UI components. When Chrome processes specially crafted URLs, the browser fails to properly validate or sanitize the URL components before rendering them in the security indicators such as the address bar or security status elements. This allows attackers to manipulate the displayed URL information in a way that could deceive users about the actual destination of their navigation. The flaw specifically impacts how Chrome handles URL components including schemes, domains, paths, and query parameters when these are processed for display in the browser's security user interface. Attackers could exploit this by constructing URLs that appear legitimate in the browser's display but actually redirect to malicious destinations, leveraging the trust users place in browser security indicators.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple display manipulation to potentially enable sophisticated phishing attacks and credential theft operations. Users interacting with compromised browser sessions could be misled into believing they are visiting legitimate websites when in fact they are being directed to malicious sites. This vulnerability particularly affects the browser's ability to provide accurate security information to users, undermining the fundamental security model that relies on user trust in browser security indicators. The attack surface includes any web navigation scenario where users might rely on URL verification, such as banking, email, or e-commerce transactions. The vulnerability could be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious websites, compromised advertising networks, or social engineering campaigns that leverage the browser's trust model. Security researchers have noted that this type of vulnerability can significantly reduce the effectiveness of browser-based security measures and user awareness training programs.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate updating of Google Chrome browsers to version 97.0.4692.71 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the URL display validation issues. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser update policies to ensure all systems are running patched versions. Network administrators should consider deploying additional security measures such as web filtering solutions and URL reputation services to provide additional layers of protection. Users should be educated about the importance of verifying URLs manually, particularly when conducting sensitive transactions, and should be trained to recognize potential signs of UI manipulation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in security user interfaces and the need for robust testing of browser security features. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts and implement network-based detection measures to identify potential attacks leveraging this vulnerability. This incident highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser security implementations and the potential consequences of UI manipulation vulnerabilities in user trust and security awareness programs.