CVE-2023-7281 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 09/24/2024
Inappropriate implementation in Compositing in Google Chrome prior to 119.0.6045.105 allowed a remote attacker to perform UI spoofing via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-7281 represents a critical implementation flaw within Google Chrome's compositing subsystem that enables remote attackers to execute UI spoofing attacks through maliciously crafted HTML content. This issue affects Chrome versions prior to 119.0.6045.105 and demonstrates a significant weakness in the browser's rendering pipeline where improper handling of composited elements creates opportunities for deceptive user interface manipulation. The vulnerability specifically resides in how Chrome processes and renders visual components that are typically isolated from user interaction, creating a window for attackers to overlay fraudulent interfaces over legitimate browser elements.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient validation and isolation mechanisms within the compositing layer that manages how visual elements are rendered and positioned on screen. When processing HTML content containing crafted compositing directives, Chrome fails to properly enforce security boundaries between different rendering contexts, allowing malicious code to manipulate the visual presentation layer in ways that can deceive users into interacting with fraudulent interfaces. This implementation gap creates a scenario where attacker-controlled content can appear to originate from legitimate browser components while actually executing malicious operations in the background. The vulnerability manifests when the browser's compositor processes certain visual attributes that should be restricted or validated, enabling attackers to craft HTML pages that can manipulate the visual presentation without proper authorization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple visual deception to potentially enable sophisticated phishing attacks and credential theft operations. Attackers can leverage this flaw to create convincing fake login forms, payment interfaces, or security warnings that appear genuine to users while actually redirecting their interactions to malicious endpoints. The medium severity classification reflects the potential for significant user deception and the ease with which attackers can exploit this vulnerability through standard web delivery mechanisms. This vulnerability directly maps to attack patterns described in the ATT&CK framework under T1531 for credential access and T1566 for social engineering techniques, as it enables attackers to manipulate user perception through visual interface manipulation. The compositing subsystem's role in managing visual elements makes this particularly dangerous as it operates at a level that can bypass traditional security measures designed to protect user interactions.
Security mitigations for CVE-2023-7281 primarily involve updating to Chrome version 119.0.6045.105 or later where the compositing implementation has been corrected to properly validate and isolate visual rendering elements. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser update policies to ensure all systems are running patched versions, as this vulnerability can be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special user interaction beyond visiting malicious websites. Network administrators should consider implementing web filtering solutions that can detect and block known malicious domains, while security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability. The fix addresses the underlying CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) issue related to improper handling of visual rendering components and ensures proper isolation between different compositor contexts. Additional defensive measures include enabling Chrome's built-in security features such as sandboxing and content security policies, which provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct security awareness training to help users recognize potential UI spoofing attempts and understand the importance of verifying website authenticity through multiple verification methods beyond visual inspection.