CVE-2010-2913 in Citi Mobile
Summary
by MITRE
The Citibank Citi Mobile app before 2.0.3 for iOS stores account data in a file, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information via vectors involving (1) the mobile device or (2) a synchronized computer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2913 represents a critical security flaw in the Citibank Citi Mobile application for iOS devices prior to version 2.0.3. This weakness stems from improper data handling practices where sensitive account information is stored in plaintext files on the device's storage system. The vulnerability exposes a fundamental failure in the application's secure data storage mechanisms, creating persistent exposure windows for unauthorized access to financial data. The issue affects mobile banking applications where user authentication and data protection are paramount, making it particularly dangerous in the context of financial services where data breaches can result in significant financial loss and identity theft.
The technical flaw manifests through insecure storage practices that violate established security principles for mobile application development. When account data is stored in files without proper encryption or access controls, it creates a persistent attack surface that remains accessible even when the application is not actively running. This vulnerability specifically allows local users to access sensitive information through two primary attack vectors: direct device access and synchronized computer access. The first vector exploits the lack of device-level encryption or access restrictions on the stored files, while the second vector leverages synchronization processes that may transfer these unencrypted files to connected computers. This dual attack surface significantly increases the exploitability of the vulnerability, as it requires minimal technical expertise to access the sensitive data through either direct device manipulation or through connected systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass broader security implications for mobile banking ecosystems. Financial institutions that rely on mobile applications for customer service face significant reputational damage and regulatory compliance issues when such vulnerabilities exist in their products. The vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to perform credential theft, account takeover, and financial fraud operations. From a cybersecurity perspective, this represents a failure in the principle of least privilege and data classification practices, where sensitive financial information should be protected through multiple security layers including encryption at rest, access controls, and secure storage mechanisms. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor adherence to mobile security best practices and could be classified under CWE-312 (Sensitive Data Exposure) or CWE-522 (Insufficiently Protected Credentials) depending on the specific implementation details.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2913 require immediate application updates to implement proper encryption and access controls for stored data. Organizations should implement secure data storage practices including encryption of sensitive information at rest, proper file permissions, and secure key management systems. The fix should address both direct device access and synchronization-related vulnerabilities by ensuring that data is encrypted regardless of access method. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1552.001 (Unsecured Credentials) and T1552.004 (Data from Network Shared Drive) when considering the synchronization attack vector. Organizations should also implement mobile device management policies that enforce encryption requirements and monitor for unauthorized data access attempts. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing to ensure that all account data is properly encrypted and that synchronization processes do not introduce additional attack vectors. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that similar vulnerabilities do not exist in other mobile applications within the organization's portfolio, ensuring compliance with industry standards such as PCI DSS and financial regulatory requirements.