CVE-2018-6173 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability in the URL Formatter feature in versions of Google Chrome before 68.0.3440.75 allowed a potential attacker to engage in domain spoofing by using IDN homographs with a carefully manipulated domain name.

Understanding CVE-2018-6173

This CVE entry describes a security vulnerability in Google Chrome that could lead to domain spoofing.

What is CVE-2018-6173?

CVE-2018-6173 is a vulnerability in Google Chrome that allows attackers to perform domain spoofing by exploiting the URL Formatter feature.

The Impact of CVE-2018-6173

The vulnerability could enable a remote attacker to engage in domain spoofing by using IDN homographs with a carefully manipulated domain name.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-6173

This section provides technical details about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Incorrect handling of confusable characters in URL Formatter in Google Chrome prior to 68.0.3440.75 allowed a remote attacker to perform domain spoofing via IDN homographs using a crafted domain name.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Chrome
Vendor: Google
Versions affected: < 68.0.3440.75

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability could be exploited by using IDN homographs with a carefully manipulated domain name to engage in domain spoofing.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protective measures to address the CVE-2018-6173 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Google Chrome to version 68.0.3440.75 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Be cautious when visiting unfamiliar websites to avoid falling victim to domain spoofing attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and browsers to the latest versions to patch security vulnerabilities.
Educate users about the risks of domain spoofing and how to identify suspicious URLs.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates for Google Chrome to address known vulnerabilities.