CVE-2011-4704 in Voxofon
Summary
by MITRE
The Voxofon (com.voxofon) application before 2.5.2 for Android does not properly protect data, which allows remote attackers to read or modify SMS information via a crafted application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4704 affects the Voxofon Android application version 2.5.1 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw in data protection mechanisms. This application, designed for voice and messaging services, fails to implement proper security controls for sensitive SMS data, creating an exploitable condition that could compromise user communications. The vulnerability stems from inadequate data handling practices within the application's architecture, specifically regarding how it manages and protects SMS information stored or transmitted through the device.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's insufficient implementation of security measures that should prevent unauthorized access to SMS data. Attackers can exploit this weakness by installing a crafted malicious application that leverages the vulnerable Voxofon application's data exposure mechanisms. This allows remote threat actors to both read and modify SMS information stored within the application's protected data stores. The vulnerability essentially creates a data access vector that bypasses normal Android security boundaries, enabling unauthorized data manipulation through the compromised application framework.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant threat to user privacy and data integrity. The ability to read SMS information exposes sensitive communication data including personal messages, authentication codes, and potentially confidential business communications. The modification capability further amplifies the risk as attackers can alter message content, potentially leading to social engineering attacks, fraud, or disruption of communication services. This vulnerability affects the fundamental security assumptions of Android applications and could compromise the integrity of the entire messaging ecosystem on affected devices.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and CWE-502, related to "Deserialization of Untrusted Data," as the application fails to properly validate or sanitize data access requests. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566, "Phishing," and T1070, "Indicator Removal on Host," as attackers can leverage the compromised application to gain access to sensitive data and potentially cover their tracks. The threat model suggests that attackers would exploit this vulnerability through malicious application installation, requiring minimal user interaction to achieve data compromise. Organizations and users should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Voxofon version 2.5.2 or later, which addresses these data protection deficiencies through enhanced access controls and proper data isolation mechanisms.
Security researchers have documented similar vulnerabilities in Android applications where improper data protection mechanisms create exploitable conditions for data leakage and manipulation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper data handling practices in mobile applications, particularly those dealing with sensitive communication data. Remediation efforts should focus on implementing robust access controls, proper input validation, and ensuring that applications follow secure coding practices to prevent unauthorized data access and modification. Users should be advised to maintain updated applications and avoid installing untrusted third-party applications that might exploit such vulnerabilities to compromise their SMS data.