CVE-2025-5066 Overview
CVE-2025-5066 is a UI spoofing vulnerability in the Messages component of Google Chrome on Android. The flaw stems from an inappropriate implementation that allows a remote attacker to manipulate the user interface through a crafted HTML page. Successful exploitation requires convincing a user to engage in specific UI gestures, after which the attacker can perform UI spoofing attacks that may deceive users about the authenticity of displayed content.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can perform UI spoofing attacks via crafted HTML pages, potentially deceiving users into trusting malicious content or disclosing sensitive information.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome on Android prior to version 137.0.7151.55
Discovery Timeline
- May 27, 2025 - CVE-2025-5066 published to NVD
- May 29, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-5066
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-451 (User Interface (UI) Misrepresentation of Critical Information). The inappropriate implementation in the Messages component of Chrome for Android creates a condition where the browser fails to properly validate or display user interface elements. This allows attackers to craft malicious HTML pages that can manipulate what users see, potentially making fraudulent content appear legitimate.
The attack requires user interaction in the form of specific UI gestures, which limits automated exploitation but still poses a significant risk in targeted phishing scenarios. The vulnerability primarily impacts confidentiality, as attackers can leverage UI spoofing to deceive users into revealing sensitive information or taking unintended actions.
Root Cause
The root cause lies in the Messages component's failure to properly handle UI rendering and validation. The inappropriate implementation allows crafted HTML content to influence the displayed interface in ways that were not intended by the browser's security model. This deficiency enables attackers to present misleading visual information to users.
Attack Vector
The attack is network-based and requires user interaction. An attacker must:
- Host a malicious HTML page containing the crafted exploit content
- Convince the target user to navigate to the malicious page using Chrome on Android
- Induce the user to perform specific UI gestures while on the page
- Upon successful interaction, the UI spoofing takes effect, potentially displaying fraudulent content
The vulnerability does not require the attacker to have any privileges on the target system, but the requirement for specific user gestures introduces a social engineering component to successful exploitation.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-5066
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual browser behavior when interacting with Messages-related UI elements in Chrome for Android
- Users reporting discrepancies between expected and displayed content on web pages
- Unexpected UI overlay behavior during specific gesture interactions
- Reports of phishing attempts utilizing Chrome-based UI manipulation
Detection Strategies
- Monitor for anomalous web page interactions that trigger unexpected UI behaviors on Android devices
- Implement endpoint detection rules for Chrome browser instances running versions prior to 137.0.7151.55
- Deploy web content filtering to identify and block known malicious pages attempting UI spoofing
- Utilize browser extension monitoring to detect attempts to manipulate UI elements
Monitoring Recommendations
- Establish baseline UI behavior patterns for Chrome on Android devices within the organization
- Configure centralized logging for browser version information across managed Android devices
- Implement user awareness training to recognize potential UI spoofing attempts
- Monitor security advisories from Google for related vulnerabilities and updated IOCs
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-5066
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Google Chrome on Android to version 137.0.7151.55 or later immediately
- Audit all managed Android devices to identify Chrome installations running vulnerable versions
- Alert users about potential phishing attempts leveraging UI spoofing techniques
- Consider temporarily restricting access to untrusted websites on vulnerable devices until patching is complete
Patch Information
Google has addressed this vulnerability in Chrome version 137.0.7151.55. Organizations should prioritize updating Chrome on all Android devices to this version or later. Detailed patch information is available in the Google Chrome Desktop Update release notes. Additional technical details can be found in Chromium Issue Tracker #356658477.
Workarounds
- Restrict browsing to trusted websites only on devices that cannot be immediately updated
- Implement network-level filtering to block access to known malicious domains
- Educate users to be cautious of any unexpected UI behavior when browsing
- Consider using alternative browsers temporarily on affected Android devices until Chrome can be updated
# Verify Chrome version on Android (via ADB)
adb shell dumpsys package com.android.chrome | grep versionName
# Expected output should show version 137.0.7151.55 or higher
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
