CVE-2026-102312 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 09/29/2026
UI misrepresentation in Omnibox in Google Chrome on on Android prior to 154.0.8037.92 allowed a remote attacker to spoof address bar via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2026
The vulnerability identified as a UI misrepresentation flaw within the Omnibox component of Google Chrome on Android prior to version 154.0.8037.92 represents a significant trust boundary violation that exploits user interface deception techniques. The core technical issue lies in how the browser renders the address bar, specifically regarding the display of domain names and security indicators when navigating to web pages. In this specific instance, a crafted HTML page could manipulate the rendering engine or CSS properties to alter the visual presentation of the URL string displayed to the end-user. This manipulation allows an attacker to make a malicious site appear as if it is hosting content from a trusted or legitimate domain, effectively obscuring the true origin of the web resource being accessed by the user.
This type of vulnerability falls squarely under the category of UI Redressing attacks, which are formally classified in the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) database as CWE-1021: Improper Restriction of Rendered UI Layers or Frames. By distorting the visual cues that users rely on to verify website identity, such as the domain name and padlock icon status, the attacker creates a disconnect between what is displayed in the browser interface and the actual network request being sent. This discrepancy undermines the fundamental security model of web browsers, which depends heavily on user vigilance regarding URL verification to prevent phishing and credential theft. The Chromium project has assigned this issue a High severity rating due to its direct potential for facilitating social engineering attacks against end-users who may not possess advanced technical knowledge or awareness of subtle browser interface anomalies.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability is primarily centered around increased susceptibility to phishing campaigns. An attacker leveraging this flaw could host a malicious login page that visually mimics a popular service such as a banking portal, email provider, or social media platform with high fidelity. Because the address bar displays a trusted domain name rather than the actual malicious URL, users are likely to proceed with entering sensitive credentials under the false assumption of security. This leads directly to credential harvesting and subsequent account compromise. Furthermore, this flaw can be utilized in more sophisticated attacks where attackers redirect traffic or inject malicious scripts while maintaining the illusion of a safe browsing session, thereby bypassing user-based detection mechanisms that rely on visual inspection of the browser chrome rather than automated technical analysis of network packets.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability involves immediate software updates to ensure all Android devices running Google Chrome are upgraded to version 154.0.8037.92 or later, where these rendering inconsistencies have been addressed by the Chromium development team. For organizations managing fleets of mobile devices, enforcing automatic browser update policies is critical to closing this window of exposure. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize that while UI indicators are helpful, they are not infallible; users must be encouraged to verify domain names through multiple means if possible and remain skeptical of unsolicited requests for sensitive information regardless of the displayed URL appearance. From a defensive engineering standpoint, browser vendors continue to harden their rendering engines against CSS-based spoofing techniques by implementing stricter origin isolation policies and refining how user interface elements are composited relative to web content layers.
In terms of threat intelligence frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK, this vulnerability facilitates the T1568 technique known as Dynamic Resolution or Domain Generation Algorithms when used in conjunction with other tactics, but more accurately aligns with T1071 Application Layer Protocol if considering the delivery mechanism and T1499 Endpoint Indicator Blocking for evasion. However, its primary classification within the attack chain is related to Initial Access via Phishing (T1566). The ability to spoof UI elements allows attackers to bypass basic user-based security controls that serve as a last line of defense before credential submission. Consequently, this vulnerability highlights the ongoing arms race between browser developers and malicious actors who exploit psychological triggers through visual deception rather than purely technical exploits like buffer overflows or memory corruption errors.