CVE-2010-0113 in Mobile Security
Summary
by MITRE
The Symantec Norton Mobile Security application 1.0 Beta for Android records setup details, possibly including wipe/lock credentials, in the device logs, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to obtain potentially sensitive information by leveraging the ability of a separate crafted application to read these logs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0113 represents a critical security flaw in Symantec Norton Mobile Security version 1.0 Beta for Android platforms. This issue stems from the application's improper handling of sensitive configuration data during the setup process, creating an information disclosure vulnerability that can be exploited by malicious actors. The flaw specifically affects how the application manages and stores setup parameters within the device's logging infrastructure, potentially exposing credentials and administrative controls that should remain protected.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's logging mechanism where setup details including wipe and lock credentials are inadvertently written to system log files. These log entries contain sensitive information that should be protected from unauthorized access, yet the application fails to properly sanitize or encrypt this data before storing it in accessible log repositories. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200 as "Information Exposure" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 "Data from Local System" which describes how adversaries can collect data from local system logs and files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it creates a user-assisted attack vector where a separate malicious application can exploit the exposed log data to gain access to sensitive administrative credentials. This scenario requires minimal user interaction since the malicious application only needs to be installed and have permission to read system logs, which many applications can request. The exposure of wipe and lock credentials particularly threatens device security as these credentials could enable remote device wiping or locking capabilities that would allow attackers to compromise device functionality or data integrity.
This vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in secure coding practices related to log management and sensitive data handling within mobile applications. The issue highlights the importance of proper input validation and output sanitization, particularly when dealing with credential information and administrative controls. Security practitioners should consider implementing logging policies that prevent sensitive information from being written to accessible log files, and applications should employ proper encryption and access controls for all sensitive data handling operations. The vulnerability also underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of mobile applications, particularly those handling security-related functions such as device protection and management features.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected versions, implementation of proper log sanitization procedures, and enforcement of strict access controls for log files. Organizations should also consider implementing mobile device management policies that restrict applications from accessing system logs and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential log-based information disclosure attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure development practices and proper security testing throughout the application lifecycle, particularly for security-critical mobile applications that handle sensitive user data and device management functions.