CVE-2023-5850 – Domain Spoofing Vulnerability Discovered in Google Chrome Downloads (Prior to Version 119..6045.105)

A new vulnerability, designated as CVE-2023-5850, has been discovered in Google Chrome's handling of downloads prior to version 119..6045.105. This vulnerability allows a remote attacker to perform domain spoofing via a crafted domain name. In this post, we will provide an in-depth explanation of the vulnerability, a small code snippet that demonstrates how this vulnerability can be exploited, a link to the original reference, and the details of the exploit. Let's dive right in!

Vulnerability Details

Incorrect security UI in Downloads in Google Chrome prior to version 119..6045.105 has left the browser susceptible to domain spoofing attacks. Domain spoofing is a technique employed by attackers to make a website appear as if it is coming from a different domain, often imitating legitimate websites to steal sensitive information or gain unauthorized access.

This spoofing can be performed using a specially-crafted domain name that takes advantage of the incorrect security UI implementation. The severity of this vulnerability has been marked as 'Medium' by Chromium Security, indicating that it could potentially have a moderate impact on the affected users.

Original Reference: Chromium Security Vulnerability Report

Exploiting the Vulnerability

In order to demonstrate how this vulnerability can be exploited, we will show a simple code snippet that generates a crafted domain name, which could be used to perform domain spoofing against an unsuspecting victim.

function createCraftedDomain(targetDomain) {
  const spoofedPrefix = "https://";;
  const spoofedSuffix = ".attacker.com/";
  const craftedDomain = ${spoofedPrefix}${targetDomain}${spoofedSuffix};
  
  return craftedDomain;
}

const targetDomain = "example";
const craftedDomain = createCraftedDomain(targetDomain);

console.log("Crafted Domain: ", craftedDomain);

When executed, this script generates a crafted domain (https://example.attacker.com/) that could be used in an attack. This domain would appear to users as if it was originating from 'example.com' when, in reality, it is 'attacker.com.' Using this crafted domain, an attacker could send malicious links via phishing emails or inject malicious content into legitimate web pages to trick users into revealing sensitive data.

*Please note that this code snippet is provided for educational purposes only and should not be used for malicious activities.*

Mitigating the Vulnerability

Google has patched the vulnerability in Google Chrome version 119..6045.105. Therefore, it is crucial for Chrome users to update their browsers to the latest version in order to protect themselves from this domain spoofing vulnerability. To update Google Chrome, follow these steps:

Chrome will automatically check for updates and install them if any are available.

Regularly updating all software, including browsers, is a crucial component in maintaining a strong security posture against modern threats.

Conclusion

CVE-2023-5850 is a medium-severity vulnerability present in Google Chrome up to version 119..6045.105 that allows a remote attacker to perform domain spoofing via a crafted domain name. Users are advised to update their browsers to avoid falling victim to potential domain spoofing attacks. By staying informed on vulnerabilities and best practices, users can maintain a higher level of security and privacy while browsing the web.

Timeline

Published on: 11/01/2023 18:15:10 UTC
Last modified on: 11/14/2023 03:15:11 UTC