CVE-2011-1717 in Skype for Android
Summary
by MITRE
Skype for Android stores sensitive user data without encryption in sqlite3 databases that have weak permissions, which allows local applications to read user IDs, contacts, phone numbers, date of birth, instant message logs, and other private information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1717 represents a critical security flaw in Skype for Android that exposes sensitive user data through improper data storage mechanisms. This issue affects the mobile version of Skype and demonstrates a fundamental failure in implementing proper data protection measures for personal information. The vulnerability stems from the application's handling of sensitive user data within sqlite3 database files that lack adequate encryption mechanisms and suffer from weak file permissions. The flaw allows unauthorized local applications to access and read confidential information stored within these databases, creating a significant risk for user privacy and data confidentiality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves Skype for Android storing user credentials, personal contact information, communication logs, and demographic details in unencrypted sqlite3 database files. These databases are created with default file permissions that do not restrict access to the application's data directory, enabling any local application with appropriate privileges to read the stored information. The vulnerability specifically affects the storage of user IDs, contact phone numbers, date of birth information, and instant message logs, which collectively constitute sensitive personal data that could be exploited for identity theft, social engineering attacks, or other malicious activities. This flaw aligns with CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling, and represents a classic case of insufficient access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass broader security implications for users of the affected Skype application. Attackers could leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to personal communication records, potentially compromising user relationships and professional communications. The vulnerability particularly affects users who rely on Skype for business communications or personal privacy, as the exposure of contact lists and message logs could lead to targeted attacks or privacy violations. Additionally, the exposure of date of birth information and phone numbers creates opportunities for identity verification fraud and social engineering attempts. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including credential access through data from information repositories and privilege escalation through local application access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1717 should focus on implementing proper encryption mechanisms for sensitive data storage and enforcing strict file permissions for database files. Organizations and users should ensure that all sensitive data stored locally is encrypted using strong encryption algorithms and that database files are protected with appropriate access controls that restrict read access to only authorized applications. The fix should involve implementing proper data protection mechanisms that align with industry standards such as those specified in the OWASP Mobile Security Project guidelines for secure data storage. Additionally, regular security assessments should verify that applications properly implement data encryption and access controls, and that file permissions are correctly configured to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive data storage areas. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure data handling practices in mobile applications and the necessity of following established security frameworks to prevent similar issues in future implementations.