CVE-2026-45489 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE • 07/04/2026
Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) Spoofing Vulnerability
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2026
This vulnerability involves a spoofing issue within Microsoft Edge browsers based on the Chromium engine where attackers can manipulate user interface elements to deceive users into believing they are interacting with legitimate content when actually engaging with maliciously crafted interfaces. The flaw typically manifests through improper handling of visual indicators, such as address bar modifications, security warnings, or other UI components that should clearly distinguish between trusted and untrusted web content. Such vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-693 category of Protection Mechanism Failure, specifically addressing inadequate protection mechanisms that allow attackers to bypass security controls through interface manipulation.
The technical implementation of this spoofing vulnerability often exploits how Edge renders certain web elements or handles user interaction prompts, particularly when dealing with mixed content scenarios, third-party integrations, or specific rendering behaviors that don't properly distinguish between authentic and forged visual elements. Attackers can leverage these inconsistencies to craft deceptive interfaces that appear legitimate while actually directing users to malicious sites or executing unauthorized actions. This type of vulnerability specifically relates to the ATT&CK technique T1566.002 which involves social engineering through spearphishing with links, where UI manipulation serves as a critical component in deceiving users into trusting malicious content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple user deception, as it can enable more sophisticated attack chains including credential theft, malware delivery, and unauthorized transactions. When successful, attackers can harvest sensitive information from unsuspecting users or manipulate browser behavior to perform actions without proper authorization. The vulnerability particularly affects scenarios involving phishing campaigns where the browser interface is manipulated to appear as legitimate banking or corporate portals, making it extremely dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently interact with potentially malicious web content. Organizations may experience significant reputational damage and financial losses when such spoofing attacks succeed.
Mitigation strategies should focus on both immediate browser updates and broader security awareness training for end users. Microsoft regularly releases patches addressing these specific rendering inconsistencies, and organizations should maintain strict update policies to ensure Edge browsers remain current with security fixes. The implementation of additional security layers such as content security policies, extended validation certificates, and browser hardening configurations can further reduce the attack surface. Security teams should also consider deploying monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous UI behaviors or suspicious rendering patterns that might indicate spoofing attempts. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize recognizing subtle interface inconsistencies and encourage verification of URLs even when interfaces appear legitimate.