CVE-2011-1840 in PassmanLite Password Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The MartiniCreations PassmanLite Password Manager application before 1.48 for Android stores the master password and unspecified other account information in cleartext, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by leveraging shell access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2018
The MartiniCreations PassmanLite Password Manager application contains a critical security flaw that exposes sensitive user data through improper storage mechanisms. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 1.48 and represents a fundamental failure in cryptographic implementation and data protection practices. The application's design stores the master password and unspecified account information in cleartext format, creating an exploitable condition that directly violates established security principles for sensitive data handling.
The technical flaw stems from the application's failure to implement proper encryption or obfuscation mechanisms for storing authentication credentials and account information. When the application stores data in cleartext, it creates a direct pathway for unauthorized access to user credentials and sensitive account details. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the file system level, where local users with shell access can directly read stored data without requiring additional authentication or exploitation techniques. The cleartext storage approach eliminates any cryptographic protection that might otherwise prevent unauthorized data access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Local users with shell access can immediately extract master passwords and account information, potentially compromising multiple online accounts that rely on the password manager. This creates a cascading security risk where a single compromised device can lead to widespread credential theft across various services. The vulnerability also violates the principle of least privilege and data protection best practices, as sensitive information should never be stored in an easily accessible format without proper encryption. The exposure affects not only the master password but also unspecified account information, suggesting a broader scope of compromised data.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and represents a classic example of insecure data storage practices in mobile applications. The flaw demonstrates poor security architecture where the application fails to implement proper cryptographic protections for sensitive data at rest. From an attacker perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-impact attack vector that requires only local shell access to achieve complete credential compromise. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1552.001 (Unsecured Credentials) and T1005 (Data from Local System), highlighting the specific attack paths available to threat actors.
The recommended mitigations include immediate implementation of strong encryption for all stored sensitive data, proper key management practices, and adherence to mobile security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project. Applications should implement proper cryptographic libraries and ensure that all sensitive information is encrypted before storage. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar storage vulnerabilities. Users should be advised to update to version 1.48 or later, which presumably addresses this vulnerability through proper encryption implementation. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as device encryption and access controls to mitigate the impact of such vulnerabilities.