CVE-2025-24128 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 01/28/2025
The issue was addressed by adding additional logic. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.3, Safari 18.3, iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3. Visiting a malicious website may lead to address bar spoofing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-24128 represents a significant security flaw in Apple's web browsing ecosystem that was resolved through enhanced validation mechanisms. This issue specifically affects the address bar spoofing capabilities within Safari browsers across multiple Apple operating systems including macOS Sequoia 15.3, iOS 18.3, and iPadOS 18.3. The vulnerability stems from insufficient verification processes that allowed malicious actors to manipulate the visual representation of web addresses in the browser's address bar, creating a deceptive user experience that could mislead visitors about the true origin of web content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of browser rendering processes that display website addresses to users. Attackers could craft malicious web pages that exploit weaknesses in how Safari validates and displays URL information, potentially causing the address bar to display misleading domain names or protocols. This type of attack falls under the category of user interface deception and falls into the broader classification of CWE-611 Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference, though specifically within the browser context where user trust is manipulated through visual means rather than data processing. The flaw represents a sophisticated social engineering vector that leverages the trust users place in their browser's address bar as a security indicator.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-24128 extends beyond simple visual deception to potentially enable more serious attacks such as credential theft, phishing operations, and man-in-the-middle attacks. When users cannot reliably verify the authenticity of a website through the address bar, they become vulnerable to various forms of malicious activity including the theft of login credentials, personal information, and financial data. This vulnerability directly impacts the security posture of Apple users and could be exploited in targeted campaigns where attackers seek to establish trust with victims before executing more sophisticated attacks. The attack pattern aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1531 for credential access and T1566 for credential harvesting through social engineering approaches.
The remediation implemented by Apple involved adding additional validation logic to the browser's URL processing and display mechanisms, ensuring that address bar information accurately reflects the actual website being visited. This fix addresses the root cause of the vulnerability by strengthening the verification processes that determine what information should be displayed in the address bar. The update affects not only Safari but also the underlying web rendering engines used across Apple's ecosystem, ensuring consistent protection across all supported platforms. Users should immediately update to the patched versions to protect against potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability could be actively exploited in the wild. The fix demonstrates Apple's commitment to maintaining browser security through proactive vulnerability management and regular security updates, aligning with industry best practices for maintaining secure web browsing environments.