CVE-2012-4017 in jigbrowser+
Summary
by MITRE
The jigbrowser+ application before 1.5.0 for Android does not properly implement the WebView class, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a crafted application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2018
The CVE-2012-4017 vulnerability affects the jigbrowser+ application version 1.5.0 and earlier on Android platforms, representing a critical security flaw in how the application handles web content rendering through the WebView component. This vulnerability stems from improper implementation of the Android WebView class, which serves as the core component for displaying web content within native applications. The WebView class in Android systems provides a way for applications to display web pages without requiring a separate browser application, making it a critical element in mobile application security architecture.
The technical flaw manifests when the jigbrowser+ application fails to properly sanitize or restrict access to sensitive information that should remain isolated from web content. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious applications or web pages that leverage the vulnerable WebView implementation to access data that should be protected within the application's security boundaries. This misimplementation creates a potential information disclosure vulnerability that could allow unauthorized access to sensitive user data, application internals, or system resources that are normally protected by the application's security model.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it represents a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture that could enable more sophisticated attacks. An attacker could potentially leverage this vulnerability to access cached data, cookies, local storage, or even sensitive system information that the application should not be exposing through its WebView implementation. The vulnerability's exploitation could lead to complete compromise of user data, session hijacking, or unauthorized access to application functionality that should remain protected from external web content influence.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and demonstrates the importance of proper WebView security implementation in mobile applications. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this as a privilege escalation or information gathering technique, where attackers exploit application-level flaws to access data that should remain protected. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to jigbrowser+ version 1.5.0 or later, reviewing all WebView implementations for similar security flaws, and implementing proper content security policies to prevent unauthorized data access through web rendering components. Additionally, application developers should follow Android security best practices for WebView configuration, including disabling unnecessary features, implementing proper security policies, and regularly auditing web content handling to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases.