CVE-2024-49054: Microsoft Edge Chromium Spoofing Vulnerability

CVE-2024-49054 Overview

CVE-2024-49054 is a spoofing vulnerability affecting Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based). The flaw allows a network-based attacker to present misleading content within the browser interface, potentially deceiving users into taking unintended actions. Exploitation requires user interaction, such as visiting an attacker-controlled page or clicking a crafted link.

Microsoft categorizes the issue under [CWE-357] (Insufficient UI Warning of Dangerous Operations). The vulnerability affects the integrity of information displayed to the user but does not impact confidentiality or availability. No public proof-of-concept, exploit code, or evidence of exploitation in the wild has been reported.

Critical Impact
An attacker can spoof trusted UI elements or content in Microsoft Edge to trick users into disclosing information or taking harmful actions.

Affected Products

Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) — versions prior to the patched release listed in the Microsoft advisory
Windows deployments of Microsoft Edge
macOS and Linux deployments of Microsoft Edge

Discovery Timeline

2024-11-22 - CVE-2024-49054 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-06-17 - Last updated in the NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-49054

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2024-49054 is a spoofing weakness in Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based). It allows an attacker to manipulate the browser interface or rendered content in a way that misrepresents the origin, identity, or trustworthiness of information shown to the user.

The root weakness is classified as [CWE-357], indicating insufficient UI warning of dangerous operations. In practice, this class of flaw enables an attacker to make untrusted content appear as if it originated from a legitimate source. The vulnerability affects integrity only. There is no direct code execution or data disclosure path from the flaw itself.

Exploitation is limited to what a user can be persuaded to do after being deceived. This typically includes entering credentials, downloading files, or approving prompts on attacker-controlled pages that mimic trusted contexts.

Root Cause

The root cause resides in how Microsoft Edge presents or validates certain UI elements or content sources. Microsoft has not published full technical details. Refer to the Microsoft CVE-2024-49054 Update Guide for vendor-provided information.

Attack Vector

The attack originates over the network and requires user interaction. A typical scenario involves an attacker hosting a crafted web page or delivering a link through phishing, social media, or messaging platforms. When the target opens the page in a vulnerable Edge build, the browser renders content in a manner that misrepresents its true source or intent.

No authentication is required on the target system. Because the flaw is a spoofing issue rather than a memory corruption or logic flaw enabling code execution, chained exploitation with social engineering is the primary risk.

No verified exploit code or proof-of-concept is publicly available. Microsoft has not disclosed detailed exploitation mechanics. See the Microsoft CVE-2024-49054 Update Guide for the authoritative advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-49054

Indicators of Compromise

Users reporting browser prompts, address bar content, or dialogs that appear inconsistent with the site they intended to visit
Access logs showing navigation to newly registered or typosquatted domains delivering active content to Edge users
Credential submissions or file downloads immediately following visits to unfamiliar external URLs

Detection Strategies

Inventory installed Microsoft Edge versions across the fleet and flag hosts running builds prior to the Microsoft-patched release
Monitor web proxy and DNS telemetry for phishing infrastructure targeting Edge users, particularly URLs referenced in user-reported incidents
Correlate browser process telemetry with subsequent credential entry or file execution events to identify likely spoofing-based social engineering

Monitoring Recommendations

Ingest endpoint browser version telemetry into a centralized data lake or SIEM for continuous version compliance checks
Alert on Edge instances that fail to update within a defined patch SLA after Microsoft releases a fix
Track user-reported phishing submissions and cross-reference them against endpoint browsing activity for impacted users

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-49054

Immediate Actions Required

Update Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) to the version listed in the Microsoft CVE-2024-49054 Update Guide
Enable Microsoft Edge automatic updates across managed endpoints via group policy or MDM
Reinforce user awareness on verifying URLs, certificates, and prompts before entering credentials or downloading files

Patch Information

Microsoft has released a security update addressing CVE-2024-49054. Administrators should apply the update through Microsoft Edge's built-in update channel or through enterprise deployment tools. Full patch details, including fixed version numbers, are available in the Microsoft CVE-2024-49054 Update Guide.

Workarounds

Restrict browsing to trusted sites through enterprise web filtering until patching is complete
Enable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen in Edge to block known malicious and deceptive sites
Deploy phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication to reduce the impact of credential theft driven by spoofing attacks

bash

# Force Microsoft Edge update check via group policy or command line
# Reference: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2024-49054

# Windows: trigger Edge update check
"%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate\MicrosoftEdgeUpdate.exe" /ua /installsource scheduler

# Verify installed Edge version
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate\Clients\{56EB18F8-B008-4CBD-B6D2-8C97FE7E9062}" /v pv