If you are a Google Chrome user, it is essential to be aware of the various security vulnerabilities that affect the browser. One such vulnerability is CVE-2024-1676, which existed in Google Chrome versions prior to 122..6261.57. This vulnerability occurs due to an inappropriate implementation in Navigation that allows a remote attacker to spoof security UI through a crafted HTML page.

In this long-read post, we will dive deep into the specifics of this vulnerability, analyze its inner workings with a code snippet, provide links and references to the original sources, and discuss the details of the exploit.

Exploit Details

The CVE-2024-1676 vulnerability lies within the Navigation implementation in Google Chrome, which is responsible for managing the browser's navigation between different web pages.

In this particular case, the inappropriate implementation enables a remote attacker to create a malicious HTML page with code specifically crafted to generate fake security UI elements. The attacker can then trick users into believing that they are visiting a legitimate website with secure connections, while in reality, they may be interacting with a malicious website created for phishing or other malicious purposes.

To give you an idea of the code behind the exploit, let's take a look at an example snippet

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <title>CVE-2024-1676 Exploit Example</title>
  <style>
    iframe {
      width: 100%;
      height: 100%;
      border: none;
    }
  </style>
</head>
<body>
  <iframe src="https://spoofed-secure-site.example.com"; onload="spoofSecurityUI();"></iframe>

  <script>
    function spoofSecurityUI() {
      window.location.replace("https://actual-secure-site.example.com/fake-security-padlock.html";);
    }
  </script>
</body>
</html>

In the above example, an attacker hosts this malicious HTML file on a web server. When a user visits the page, the website opens an iframe of a spoofed secure website at https://spoofed-secure-site.example.com. Once the iframe loads, the spoofSecurityUI() function executes, replacing the browser's address bar with the URL of a legitimate secure website, https://actual-secure-site.example.com/fake-security-padlock.html. The fake security padlock gives the appearance that the user is browsing a secure website.

The vulnerability was first identified and reported by security researchers, and Google addressed the issue in Chrome version 122..6261.57. For more information, check out the following links:

1. Chromium Issue Tracker: Issue 1676: Low - Inappropriate implementation in Navigation
2. Google Chrome Releases Blog: Stable Channel Update for Desktop
3. National Vulnerability Database: CVE-2024-1676 Detail

Chromium Security Severity: Low
Although this vulnerability could be exploited to spoof security UI elements and mislead users, it was classified as "Low" severity by the Chromium project for several reasons:

Staying Safe

To avoid falling victim to such exploits, always ensure that your Google Chrome browser is updated. Also, be vigilant by checking the URL and SSL certificate of websites you visit, especially when providing sensitive data such as login details or personal information. Stay informed about the latest security vulnerabilities and updates to ensure your browser and system remain secure.

Conclusion

CVE-2024-1676 is a crucial example of why browser security updates are essential, and it highlights the importance of software developers and security researchers working together to identify and fix potential vulnerabilities. By understanding the nature of these vulnerabilities and making sure to keep our browsers up to date, we can significantly reduce the risks of encountering such security threats.

Timeline

Published on: 02/21/2024 04:15:08 UTC
Last modified on: 02/26/2024 16:27:52 UTC