CVE-2012-5184 in Documents Pro File Viewer
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Olive Toast Documents Pro File Viewer (formerly Files HD) app before 1.11.1 for iOS allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2018
The CVE-2012-5184 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Olive Toast Documents Pro File Viewer application for iOS devices. This vulnerability existed in versions prior to 1.11.1 and exposed users to significant security risks through remote code execution capabilities. The flaw permitted attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content into the application's interface, creating a persistent threat vector that could compromise user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability's classification as a client-side XSS issue means that the attack vector operates entirely within the user's browser environment without requiring server-side exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the file viewer application's rendering mechanisms. Attackers could exploit this weakness by crafting malicious file names or content that would be processed and displayed within the application's user interface. When users opened these specially crafted files, the embedded scripts would execute in the context of the application's web view, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of the victim. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications and mobile software platforms. The vulnerability demonstrates poor secure coding practices where user-supplied data is not properly escaped or validated before being rendered in the application's interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-5184 extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it creates a persistent threat that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. Mobile users who downloaded and opened malicious files through the vulnerable Documents Pro application could have their device compromised through session manipulation, credential theft, or redirection to phishing sites. The vulnerability affects iOS users who rely on this file viewer for document management, potentially exposing sensitive corporate or personal data. Attackers could exploit this weakness to establish persistent access to user devices, particularly in enterprise environments where such applications are commonly deployed. The threat landscape for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering attacks through malicious file attachments, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the Olive Toast Documents Pro application to version 1.11.1 or later, which would address the input validation and output sanitization deficiencies. Organizations should implement network-based controls to monitor for suspicious file downloads and block potentially malicious attachments. Users must be educated about the risks of opening unknown or untrusted files, particularly those that might contain embedded scripts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of mobile application security testing and proper input validation in mobile platforms. Security professionals should consider implementing application whitelisting controls and regular security assessments of mobile applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future. Additionally, the incident underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date mobile applications and implementing robust mobile device management policies that ensure timely security patches are deployed across all enterprise devices.