CVE-2026-17941
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 a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Low)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2026
This vulnerability represents a user interface deception issue that specifically affected Google Chrome for iOS versions prior to 151.0.7922.72. The flaw allowed remote attackers to manipulate the visual presentation of the browser's Omnibox, which serves as the primary interface element for URL input and display. The technical implementation error occurred within Chrome's iOS rendering engine where the application failed to properly validate or sanitize HTML content that could influence the appearance of the address bar. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-74, known as "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component," specifically within the context of user interface elements rather than traditional input validation scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple visual deception as it could enable sophisticated phishing attacks or social engineering campaigns. When an attacker crafts a malicious HTML page, they can manipulate how the Omnibox appears to users, potentially making it seem as though they are visiting a legitimate website when in fact they are interacting with a malicious page. This creates a dangerous trust relationship that could lead users to unknowingly enter sensitive information or perform actions they would not normally undertake. The low severity classification from Chromium security team does not diminish the potential for abuse in real-world attack scenarios where user awareness may be compromised.
The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws in browser components can create significant security risks. Attackers leveraging this issue could craft web pages that display misleading information in the URL bar, potentially showing trusted domain names while actually directing users to malicious sites. This attack vector operates under the broader category of UI redressing attacks and relates to ATT&CK technique T1566.002 for "Phishing: Spearphishing via Service" where the deception extends beyond traditional email-based approaches to include web interface manipulation. The issue primarily affects mobile browser users who may be less vigilant about URL verification due to smaller screen sizes and different interaction patterns compared to desktop environments.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate software updates to the latest Chrome for iOS version, which would address the underlying implementation flaw through proper HTML content validation and sanitization of Omnibox display elements. Users should also maintain awareness of browser security features such as URL verification indicators and avoid entering sensitive information on sites that do not properly display their SSL certificates. Security researchers recommend implementing additional client-side validation checks that monitor for suspicious HTML constructs that attempt to manipulate browser interface components, particularly in mobile environments where the attack surface may be more limited but the impact on user trust is significantly higher. Organizations should consider deploying browser security extensions or enterprise mobility management solutions that can provide additional layers of protection against such UI-based deception attacks.