CVE-2025-21253 Overview
CVE-2025-21253 is a spoofing vulnerability affecting Microsoft Edge for iOS and Android. The flaw is tracked under [CWE-451: User Interface (UI) Misrepresentation of Critical Information]. An unauthenticated remote attacker can craft content that misrepresents security-relevant UI elements in the mobile browser, leading users to trust malicious pages. Microsoft addressed the issue through its security update guide.
The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction to exploit at the network level, but successful attacks depend on a user viewing attacker-controlled content. Impact is limited to confidentiality: an attacker can trick users into disclosing information by presenting fraudulent UI cues.
Critical Impact
Attackers can spoof trusted interface elements in Microsoft Edge on iOS and Android, enabling phishing and credential theft against mobile users.
Affected Products
- Microsoft Edge for Android
- Microsoft Edge for iOS
- Mobile Edge builds prior to the February 2025 security update
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-02-06 - CVE-2025-21253 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-21253
Vulnerability Analysis
The issue is a UI spoofing weakness classified under [CWE-451]. Microsoft Edge for iOS and Android renders security-relevant interface elements — such as the address bar, security indicators, or domain display — in a way that an attacker can manipulate. The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without authentication, and impacts only confidentiality.
Because the attack targets the trust signals shown to users, exploitation typically pairs the flaw with a phishing page. Victims see what appears to be a legitimate site or system prompt, but the underlying content is attacker-controlled. Integrity and availability of the device or browser process are not affected.
EPSS data reports a low near-term exploitation probability, and no public proof-of-concept, exploit database entry, or CISA KEV listing exists for this CVE as of the last modification date.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper rendering or handling of trust-critical UI elements in the mobile Edge WebView. Attacker-controlled web content can influence how the browser displays origin or security context. This allows a crafted page to appear as if it originated from a different, trusted origin.
Attack Vector
An attacker hosts a malicious web page and lures a mobile Edge user to visit it through phishing links, SMS, malvertising, or a compromised site. Once loaded, the page manipulates URL bar contents, dialog rendering, or security indicators to spoof a trusted origin. The user then submits credentials or sensitive data believing the site is legitimate.
No exploitation code has been publicly released. For detailed technical context, refer to the Microsoft Security Update Guide for CVE-2025-21253.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-21253
Indicators of Compromise
- User reports of Edge mobile sessions where the displayed domain does not match the visited site or where security indicators appear inconsistent.
- Outbound HTTPS connections from mobile devices to newly registered domains that mimic corporate login portals.
- Credential submissions to unexpected hosts immediately after a click from SMS, chat, or email links.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor mobile browser telemetry and MDM logs for outdated Microsoft Edge versions on iOS and Android endpoints.
- Correlate phishing URL feeds with DNS and proxy logs to identify users who navigated to spoofing infrastructure from mobile devices.
- Deploy phishing-resistant authentication (FIDO2, passkeys) so credential submission to spoofed sites cannot succeed.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Track Edge version inventory across managed mobile devices and alert on builds predating the February 2025 patch.
- Review identity provider logs for suspicious sign-in attempts sourced from mobile user agents shortly after link clicks.
- Enable Safe Links or equivalent URL rewriting in mail and messaging platforms to inspect destinations before Edge renders them.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-21253
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Microsoft Edge on all managed iOS and Android devices to the latest version through the App Store and Google Play.
- Enforce minimum Edge version compliance policies through Intune, Jamf, or comparable mobile device management platforms.
- Communicate to users the risk of trusting URL bar contents on unpatched mobile Edge builds and reinforce phishing awareness.
Patch Information
Microsoft has issued a fix through the store-delivered update channel for Edge on iOS and Android. Refer to the Microsoft Security Update Guide for CVE-2025-21253 for the specific fixed version and release notes. Automatic app updates should be enabled on all corporate mobile devices.
Workarounds
- Restrict browsing on mobile devices to managed applications with URL filtering until Edge is updated.
- Deploy conditional access policies that require compliant, up-to-date browser versions before granting access to sensitive resources.
- Route mobile browser traffic through a secure web gateway that blocks known phishing and spoofing domains.
# Intune configuration example: enforce minimum Microsoft Edge version on iOS/Android
# Assignment type: App configuration policy for managed apps
# Key: com.microsoft.intune.mam.managedbrowser.MinimumRequiredAppVersion
# Value: <fixed Edge version from MSRC advisory>
# Verify installed Edge version on Android via adb
adb shell dumpsys package com.microsoft.emmx | grep versionName
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
