CVE-2012-3887 in AirDroid
Summary
by MITRE
AirDroid before 1.0.7 beta uses a cleartext base64 format for data transfer that is documented as an "Encrypted Transmission" feature, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by sniffing the local wireless network, as demonstrated by the SMS message content sent to the sdctl/sms/send/single/ URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-3887 represents a critical security flaw in AirDroid software versions prior to 1.0.7 beta where the application falsely advertises data transmission as encrypted while actually employing cleartext base64 encoding for sensitive information exchange. This misrepresentation creates a significant security risk as the application's documentation claims to provide encrypted transmission capabilities, leading users and security professionals to believe their communications are protected when they are not. The flaw specifically affects the sdctl/sms/send/single/ URI endpoint where SMS message content is transmitted, making it particularly concerning for users who rely on the application for mobile device management and communication.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of encryption principles within the application's network communication layer. Base64 encoding is a method for encoding binary data into ASCII characters but provides no cryptographic security whatsoever. When sensitive data such as SMS messages are encoded using base64 and transmitted over wireless networks without additional encryption, the data becomes immediately readable to any network observer capable of capturing network traffic. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-310 (Cryptographic Issues) as it demonstrates both cleartext transmission of sensitive data and the improper implementation of security features. The flaw essentially creates a false sense of security where users believe their communications are protected by encryption while they remain completely exposed to network sniffing attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially compromise user privacy and device security. Remote attackers with access to the local wireless network can easily capture and decode the base64 encoded data streams to obtain sensitive SMS content, personal communications, and potentially other confidential information transmitted through the AirDroid application. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in public or shared wireless environments where network traffic interception is trivial. The attack vector follows the ATT&CK framework's T1041 (Exfiltration Over Command and Control Channel) pattern where sensitive data is transmitted over insecure channels that can be easily monitored and exploited by adversaries. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of security by obscurity where the application's misleading documentation and implementation creates a false security posture that leaves users vulnerable to attacks they would otherwise be protected against.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention through software updates to version 1.0.7 beta or later, which presumably implements proper encryption protocols for data transmission. Network administrators should implement additional monitoring and security controls to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Users should be advised to avoid using the affected software in untrusted wireless environments until the vulnerability is properly addressed. The security community should also consider implementing network segmentation and traffic monitoring to detect and prevent the transmission of cleartext sensitive data. Organizations that rely on AirDroid for device management should conduct thorough security assessments to identify any other potential vulnerabilities in their mobile device management infrastructure. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper cryptographic implementation and the dangers of misleading security documentation that can lead to significant security risks for end users.