CVE-2012-4917 in TripAdvisor for iOS
Summary
by MITRE
The TripAdvisor app 6.6 for iOS sends cleartext credentials, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by sniffing the network.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4917 represents a critical security flaw in the TripAdvisor mobile application version 6.6 for iOS devices. This issue stems from the application's improper handling of authentication credentials during network communication, specifically transmitting user login information in plaintext format rather than employing secure encrypted protocols. The flaw creates an exploitable condition where malicious actors can intercept network traffic using standard packet sniffing tools to capture and decode sensitive user authentication data. Such cleartext transmission violates fundamental security principles and exposes users to potential identity theft, account takeover, and unauthorized access to personal information. The vulnerability affects mobile users who rely on the TripAdvisor application for travel planning and accommodation booking services, making it particularly concerning given the sensitive nature of travel-related personal data and financial information that users typically associate with such applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in the application's network security architecture and authentication mechanism design. The iOS application communicates with remote servers using unencrypted HTTP protocols instead of secure HTTPS connections, allowing credential information to traverse the network in plain text format. This design flaw enables man-in-the-middle attacks and passive network monitoring techniques that are readily available to attackers with minimal technical expertise. Network sniffing tools can capture the transmitted data packets and extract usernames, passwords, and potentially session tokens without requiring advanced cryptographic attacks or specialized equipment. The vulnerability specifically impacts the authentication phase of the application's operation where user credentials are submitted to verify identity and access travel-related services. This flaw aligns with CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext transmission, and represents a fundamental failure in secure communication protocol implementation within mobile applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass broader security implications for both individual users and the organization maintaining the application. Users who authenticate through the vulnerable application become susceptible to account hijacking, where attackers can assume user identities and potentially access personal travel information, booking details, and payment methods associated with their accounts. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for credential stuffing attacks where stolen credentials can be used to compromise accounts on other platforms where users employ similar authentication information. Additionally, the exposure of authentication data may enable attackers to perform unauthorized transactions, modify travel bookings, or access premium features without proper authorization. The vulnerability affects the application's integrity and confidentiality properties, undermining user trust in the platform and potentially resulting in legal and regulatory consequences for the organization due to data protection violations. This issue particularly impacts the mobile security landscape and demonstrates the importance of implementing robust encryption mechanisms in mobile applications that handle sensitive user information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-4917 require immediate implementation of secure communication protocols and comprehensive security architecture improvements. The primary remediation involves transitioning from cleartext HTTP communications to encrypted HTTPS connections with proper certificate validation mechanisms. Organizations should implement Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols with strong encryption ciphers and ensure that all network communications involving sensitive data are properly encrypted. Mobile application developers must conduct thorough security testing including network traffic analysis and penetration testing to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. The implementation of certificate pinning can further enhance security by preventing man-in-the-middle attacks through validation of specific certificate authorities. Additionally, organizations should establish secure coding practices and security training for development teams to prevent similar issues in future application releases. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to ensure that all network communications maintain appropriate security levels. The remediation efforts should also include user education regarding secure network usage and the importance of avoiding public Wi-Fi networks when accessing sensitive applications. This vulnerability highlights the necessity of adhering to industry security standards such as those defined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project and NIST guidelines for mobile application security, particularly in relation to secure communication and authentication mechanisms.