CVE-2012-2630 in Madomagi-ip Android
Summary
by MITRE
The Puella Magi Madoka Magica iP application 1.05 and earlier for Android places cleartext Twitter credentials in a log file, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a crafted application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2630 represents a critical security flaw in the Puella Magi Madoka Magica iP application version 1.05 and earlier for Android platforms. This issue stems from improper handling of sensitive authentication data within the application's logging mechanisms, creating a significant exposure risk for users who have authenticated with their Twitter credentials through the app. The vulnerability specifically affects mobile applications that integrate social media authentication features, highlighting the importance of secure credential management in mobile environments where data persistence and logging practices can inadvertently compromise user security.
The technical flaw manifests when the application stores cleartext Twitter credentials in a log file, which occurs during the normal operation of the application when it processes user authentication requests. This practice violates fundamental security principles regarding credential storage and demonstrates a lack of proper input sanitization and secure data handling protocols. The log file creation process likely occurs without adequate access controls or encryption mechanisms, allowing any application with appropriate permissions to read the stored credentials. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext storage, and also aligns with CWE-542, which covers the introduction of insecure data into log files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to user Twitter accounts through a crafted malicious application. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by simply installing a malicious application on a device that has previously used the vulnerable Puella Magi Madoka Magica iP application, thereby gaining access to the stored Twitter credentials without requiring additional authentication factors or complex exploitation techniques. This scenario represents a classic case of credential harvesting through insecure logging practices, where the application's design flaw creates an unintended information disclosure channel that attackers can leverage to compromise user accounts.
The security implications of this vulnerability are particularly concerning given the widespread use of mobile applications that integrate social media authentication and the typical user behavior of reusing credentials across multiple platforms. When users authenticate with their Twitter credentials through the vulnerable application, they unknowingly expose their Twitter account access to potential attackers who can simply read the cleartext credentials from the log file. This vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper application security testing and the need for developers to implement secure coding practices that prevent sensitive data from being inadvertently stored in accessible locations. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no sophisticated exploitation techniques and can be executed through simple file access operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation of the logging implementation to prevent cleartext credential storage and the implementation of proper access controls on log files. Developers should ensure that sensitive authentication data is never stored in cleartext format and that any logging mechanisms properly sanitize and encrypt sensitive information. The recommended approach involves implementing secure credential storage practices, including the use of encrypted storage mechanisms for authentication tokens and the removal of sensitive data from log files. Additionally, the application should implement proper file permissions and access controls to prevent unauthorized access to log files containing sensitive information. This vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of mobile applications, particularly those that handle user authentication data, and adherence to secure coding practices that prevent information disclosure through improper data handling. Organizations should also implement monitoring systems to detect unusual access patterns to log files and establish incident response procedures to address credential compromise events.
The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure data handling in mobile applications and the potential consequences of inadequate security measures. Mobile applications that store authentication credentials must implement robust security controls to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information, including proper encryption of stored data, secure logging practices, and appropriate access controls on sensitive files. This vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can create significant security risks, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing and code reviews in mobile application development processes. The incident also underscores the importance of following established security frameworks and standards such as those defined by the Open Web Application Security Project and industry best practices for mobile security.