CVE-2014-4467

Vulnerability

WebKit, as used in Apple iOS before 8.1.3, does not properly determine scrollbar boundaries during the rendering of FRAME elements [1]. This logic flaw allows a remote attacker to spoof the user interface by presenting a crafted website that manipulates the visible scroll area within a frame, potentially overlapping or hiding the browser's native UI elements [1].

Exploitation

No authentication or special network position beyond standard web browsing is required. The attacker hosts a malicious website that contains specially crafted FRAME elements designed to alter the perceived scrollbar boundaries [1]. When a user visits the site with a vulnerable version of iOS Safari or any WebKit-based browser on iOS before 8.1.3, the attacker can cause the browser to render the page in a way that misrepresents the browser's own UI, such as the address bar or security indicators [1].

Impact

An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can spoof parts of the browser's user interface, potentially tricking the user into believing they are on a legitimate site or interacting with a trusted UI element [1]. This UI spoofing can lead to disclosure of sensitive information if the user is deceived into entering credentials or other private data into a fake prompt. The compromise is limited to UI manipulation; there is no code execution or direct file access.

Mitigation

The vulnerability is addressed in iOS 8.1.3, released on January 27, 2015 [1]. Users should update their devices to iOS 8.1.3 or later via the Settings > General > Software Update mechanism. No workaround is available for earlier versions. The issue is not listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.