CVE-2013-2301 in OpenWnn
Summary
by MITRE
The OMRON OpenWnn application before 1.3.6 for Android uses weak permissions for unspecified files, which allows attackers to obtain sensitive information via an application that accesses the local filesystem.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2301 affects the OMRON OpenWnn application version 1.3.5 and earlier on Android platforms. This security flaw resides in the application's permission model where unspecified files are granted weak access controls, creating a significant exposure in the Android security framework. The vulnerability represents a classic case of improper access control that directly impacts the confidentiality of sensitive data stored within the application's local filesystem.
The technical flaw manifests through insufficient permission checking mechanisms within the OpenWnn application's file access implementation. When the application processes user input or manages linguistic data, it fails to properly validate file access permissions for various data storage locations. This weakness allows malicious applications or attackers with appropriate privileges to traverse the application's file system boundaries and access sensitive information that should remain protected. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper access control as defined by CWE-284, which specifically addresses inadequate permissions for critical resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential attack vectors for more sophisticated exploitation. An attacker could leverage this weakness to access user input data, linguistic models, or other sensitive information that the application processes. The vulnerability affects the Android platform's security model by weakening the application sandboxing mechanism, potentially allowing unauthorized data access that could compromise user privacy and system integrity. This weakness particularly impacts users who rely on the application for sensitive data processing or input methods.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate application updates to version 1.3.6 or later, which addresses the weak permission issues through proper access control implementation. System administrators should conduct thorough security assessments of Android applications to identify similar permission flaws in other software packages. The fix typically involves implementing proper file permission checking, ensuring that applications only access files with appropriate authorization levels, and maintaining strict separation between application data and user-sensitive information. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper Android security practices and adherence to the principle of least privilege as outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks and standards.