CVE-2022-3313 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2022
Incorrect security UI in full screen in Google Chrome prior to 106.0.5249.62 allowed a remote attacker to spoof security UI via a crafted HTML page. (Chrome security severity: Medium)
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-3313 represents a critical flaw in Google Chrome's security user interface implementation that existed prior to version 106.0.5249.62. This issue specifically affects the browser's handling of security warnings when pages are displayed in full screen mode, creating a potential attack vector for malicious actors to deceive users through visual spoofing techniques. The vulnerability falls under the category of user interface security flaws that can undermine the trust model between users and security systems.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in Chrome's failure to properly validate and display security warnings when web content is presented in full screen mode. When a webpage attempts to enter full screen mode, the browser's security UI elements that normally alert users to potential security risks become vulnerable to manipulation by malicious actors. This occurs because the security warnings that should appear to inform users about potentially dangerous content are either suppressed, altered, or rendered in a manner that makes them indistinguishable from legitimate browser elements.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for end users who may be tricked into believing they are interacting with legitimate security warnings while actually encountering fraudulent content. Attackers can craft HTML pages that exploit this flaw by presenting malicious content that appears to be a legitimate security warning or notification. This spoofing capability allows threat actors to potentially bypass user security awareness and trick users into performing actions they would not normally undertake, such as entering credentials or downloading malicious files.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple visual deception as it represents a breakdown in Chrome's security model that could enable more sophisticated attacks. Security researchers have classified this issue as having medium severity, but the potential for exploitation in real-world scenarios can significantly amplify its practical impact. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor UI implementation flaws can create substantial security risks when they interfere with user trust mechanisms that are fundamental to browser security.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-693, which addresses Protection Mechanism Failure, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Phishing and T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. The flaw specifically targets the user trust model that browsers establish through security warnings, making it particularly dangerous in social engineering attacks where visual deception is crucial for success. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability as it represents a potential entry point for more sophisticated attacks that rely on user deception rather than direct technical exploitation.
The remediation strategy involves updating to Chrome version 106.0.5249.62 or later, which includes proper validation of security UI elements during full screen mode transitions. Security teams should also consider implementing additional monitoring for suspicious full screen requests and user behavior that might indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability. Browser vendors and security researchers continue to emphasize the importance of proper UI validation in security contexts, as these elements serve as critical trust indicators for end users.