CVE-2012-3888 in AirDroid
Summary
by MITRE
The login implementation in AirDroid 1.0.4 beta allows remote attackers to bypass a multiple-login protection mechanism by modifying a pass value within JSON data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3888 resides within the authentication mechanism of AirDroid version 1.0.4 beta, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the application's attempt to enforce multiple-login protection. This weakness specifically targets the JSON data structure used during the authentication process, where attackers can manipulate the pass value to circumvent intended security controls. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and authentication flow design, allowing unauthorized access through simple data modification techniques.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of authentication parameters within the JSON payload sent during login operations. When users attempt to authenticate with AirDroid, the system receives a JSON object containing authentication credentials including a pass value that should be verified against stored hashes or encrypted values. However, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize this pass value before processing the authentication request, enabling attackers to modify the JSON data to bypass the multiple-login protection mechanism. This represents a classic case of insufficient input sanitization and inadequate authentication flow control that aligns with CWE-284 access control vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-3888 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential account takeover scenarios and session hijacking capabilities. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can simultaneously establish multiple sessions without proper authentication, potentially leading to denial of service for legitimate users or complete system compromise. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or network proximity to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where AirDroid applications may be deployed across various networks and devices. This flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1078 legitimate credentials usage, as attackers can leverage modified authentication data to gain unauthorized system access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation mechanisms that verify the integrity of JSON authentication payloads before processing. Security measures must include cryptographic validation of authentication parameters, proper session management with unique identifiers, and enforcement of strict authentication flow controls that prevent modification of critical parameters. The application should implement proper JSON schema validation to ensure that pass values conform to expected formats and that any modifications to authentication data are detected and rejected. Additionally, session management should incorporate mechanisms to detect and prevent concurrent logins from multiple locations, while also implementing proper logging and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations using AirDroid should immediately update to versions that address this vulnerability and implement network-level controls to monitor for suspicious authentication patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.