CVE-2011-4872 in Sensation Z710e
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple HTC Android devices including Desire HD FRG83D and GRI40, Glacier FRG83, Droid Incredible FRF91, Thunderbolt 4G FRG83D, Sensation Z710e GRI40, Sensation 4G GRI40, Desire S GRI40, EVO 3D GRI40, and EVO 4G GRI40 allow remote attackers to obtain 802.1X Wi-Fi credentials and SSID via a crafted application that uses the android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE permission to call the toString method on the WifiConfiguration class.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4872 represents a critical information disclosure flaw affecting multiple HTC Android devices running specific firmware versions. This security weakness stems from improper handling of Wi-Fi configuration data within the Android operating system, specifically when applications with the android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE permission attempt to invoke the toString method on the WifiConfiguration class. The flaw allows malicious actors to extract sensitive 802.1X Wi-Fi credentials and SSID information from affected devices, creating significant security implications for enterprise and personal users alike. The vulnerability affects a range of HTC devices including the Desire HD, Glacier, Droid Incredible, Thunderbolt 4G, Sensation series, and EVO models, all of which share the affected firmware versions FRG83D, FRG83, and GRI40.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the inherent design flaw in how Android processes and exposes Wi-Fi configuration data through the WifiConfiguration class. When an application with appropriate permissions calls the toString method on this class, it inadvertently triggers a data leakage mechanism that reveals the complete configuration details including authentication credentials and network identifiers. This behavior constitutes a violation of secure data handling principles and represents a direct breach of the principle of least privilege, as unauthorized data exposure occurs through legitimate system interfaces. The vulnerability maps to CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 (Phishing via Social Engineering) as it enables attackers to gather credentials that can be used for further exploitation. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and output sanitization practices within the Android framework, particularly in the Wi-Fi management subsystem where sensitive configuration data should be properly protected from unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, creating potential pathways for broader network compromise and unauthorized access to enterprise resources. Attackers can leverage the exposed 802.1X credentials to gain legitimate network access, potentially bypassing additional security controls such as network segmentation and access control lists. The exposure of SSID information allows for more targeted attacks including social engineering campaigns and network reconnaissance activities that can identify specific network configurations and security implementations. Organizations using affected HTC devices face significant risks including data breaches, unauthorized network access, and potential insider threat scenarios where attackers can move laterally within networks using the stolen credentials. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to devices, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where mobile device management policies may not adequately address such application-level data exposure issues.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4872 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. Device administrators must ensure that affected HTC devices are updated to patched firmware versions that address the Wi-Fi configuration data exposure issue, while also implementing strict application permission controls that limit access to the android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE permission. Network security teams should deploy monitoring solutions to detect unusual Wi-Fi credential access patterns and implement network access control measures that can detect and block unauthorized network access attempts using stolen credentials. The vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing proper data protection mechanisms within mobile operating systems and underscores the need for comprehensive mobile device management policies that address application-level security controls. Organizations should also consider network segmentation strategies and multi-factor authentication implementations to reduce the impact of credential theft. Additionally, developers should be aware of the security implications of exposing system classes and methods that handle sensitive configuration data, following secure coding practices that prevent unintended data leakage through legitimate system interfaces. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper privilege management and data protection in mobile operating systems, particularly in enterprise environments where device security directly impacts overall network security posture.