CVE-2026-18016 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2026
Insufficient policy enforcement in Chrome for iOS in Google Chrome on iOS prior to 151.0.7922.72 allowed a remote attacker to perform UI spoofing 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 significant security gap in the mobile browser implementation that could enable sophisticated phishing attacks through deceptive user interface manipulation. The issue stems from inadequate policy enforcement mechanisms within Chrome for iOS, specifically failing to properly validate and restrict the rendering of potentially malicious web content that could mimic legitimate user interfaces. The flaw manifests when users encounter crafted HTML pages designed to exploit the browser's insufficient validation controls, creating opportunities for attackers to deceive victims into believing they are interacting with trusted websites or applications.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-693, which addresses protection mechanism failures where security controls are not properly enforced. In the context of mobile browsers, this represents a breakdown in the security model that should prevent unauthorized modification of user interface elements and content rendering. Attackers can craft HTML pages containing malicious scripts or embedded frames that bypass Chrome's intended security boundaries, allowing them to display deceptive interfaces that closely resemble genuine web applications or system dialogs.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for users who may be tricked into entering sensitive information or performing unintended actions based on the deceptive UI presented. The low severity classification does not diminish the potential impact as UI spoofing attacks can be highly effective when properly executed and often lead to successful social engineering campaigns. Users interacting with malicious pages could unknowingly provide credentials, financial information, or perform other actions that compromise their security and privacy.
The attack vector specifically exploits the gap between Chromium's desktop and mobile implementations, highlighting inconsistencies in how security policies are enforced across different platforms. This type of vulnerability often maps to ATT&CK technique T1531, which involves use of malicious content to manipulate user interfaces and potentially harvest credentials or other sensitive data through deceptive means. The vulnerability affects users of Chrome for iOS versions prior to 151.0.7922.72, representing a window where the browser's security controls were insufficiently robust to prevent such UI manipulation attacks.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected browser versions to ensure users have access to the latest security enhancements and policy enforcement mechanisms. Organizations should implement additional monitoring for suspicious web content and educate users about recognizing potential phishing attempts. The fix likely involves strengthening the validation processes for HTML rendering, particularly around frame and script handling, to prevent unauthorized UI modification that could mislead users into believing they are interacting with legitimate interfaces rather than maliciously crafted deception. This vulnerability underscores the importance of consistent security enforcement across all platform implementations within browser ecosystems.