CVE-2026-17849 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2026
Inappropriate implementation in Chrome for iOS in Google Chrome on iOS prior to 151.0.7922.72 allowed a remote attacker to spoof the contents of the Omnibox (URL bar) via malicious network traffic. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2026
This vulnerability represents a significant user interface spoofing flaw in Google Chrome for iOS that could enable remote attackers to manipulate the Omnibox display. The issue stems from an inadequate implementation of URL validation and display mechanisms within the mobile browser's interface, allowing malicious actors to craft network traffic that would cause the browser to show misleading content in the address bar. Such a vulnerability directly impacts user trust and security awareness by making it appear as though they are visiting legitimate websites when in fact they are encountering malicious content.
The technical root cause lies in how Chrome for iOS processes and displays URL information when rendering web content. When the browser receives network traffic containing specially crafted headers or responses, it fails to properly validate the authenticity of the displayed URL, creating an opportunity for attackers to inject misleading information into the Omnibox. This flaw operates at the application layer where user interface elements should maintain strict integrity verification before display. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation and could be classified as CWE-20, which addresses weakness in input validation, or potentially CWE-1004 if it involves inadequate protection against manipulation of user interface elements.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial given Chrome's widespread usage on iOS devices. Attackers could exploit this flaw to create convincing phishing attempts that appear legitimate to users who rely on the Omnibox as a primary security indicator. This spoofing capability undermines the fundamental security model of web browsers where users expect the address bar to accurately represent the origin of content they are viewing. The medium severity rating reflects that while direct code execution is not typically possible through this vector, the psychological impact and potential for social engineering attacks makes it a significant concern.
Users may be tricked into entering sensitive information on malicious sites that appear legitimate due to the spoofed Omnibox display. The vulnerability particularly affects mobile users who may be more susceptible to such interface manipulation attacks given their browsing habits and device usage patterns. Security professionals should consider this issue in relation to the ATT&CK framework under T1566, which covers phishing techniques, and potentially T1071 for application layer protocol usage that could facilitate data injection attacks. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies include immediate upgrade to Chrome version 151.0.7922.72 or later where the vulnerability has been patched. Users should also maintain awareness of suspicious browsing behavior and verify URLs manually when in doubt. Network administrators can implement additional monitoring for unusual URL patterns in HTTP headers that might indicate exploitation attempts. The patch likely addresses the input validation process by strengthening the verification mechanisms that determine what content can be displayed in the Omnibox, ensuring that only properly authenticated and validated URLs are presented to users. Organizations should also consider implementing browser security policies that enforce regular updates and monitor for known vulnerabilities in mobile browser applications.