CVE-2013-2310 in Android smartphone
Summary
by MITRE
SoftBank Wi-Fi Spot Configuration Software, as used on SoftBank SHARP 3G handsets, SoftBank Panasonic 3G handsets, SoftBank NEC 3G handsets, SoftBank Samsung 3G handsets, SoftBank mobile Wi-Fi routers, SoftBank Android smartphones with the Wi-Fi application before 1.7.1, SoftBank Windows Mobile smartphones with the WISPrClient application before 1.3.1, SoftBank Disney Mobile Android smartphones with the Wi-Fi application before 1.7.1, and WILLCOM Android smartphones with the Wi-Fi application before 1.7.1, does not properly connect to access points, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by leveraging access to an 802.11 network.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2310 affects a significant range of mobile devices and Wi-Fi infrastructure products from SoftBank and related manufacturers. This issue specifically impacts devices running SoftBank's proprietary Wi-Fi configuration software, including various 3G handsets from Sharp, Panasonic, NEC, and Samsung, as well as mobile Wi-Fi routers, Android smartphones, Windows Mobile devices, and Disney Mobile Android smartphones. The affected software versions span across multiple device types and operating systems, indicating a widespread implementation of this particular Wi-Fi configuration flaw. The vulnerability manifests in the software's improper handling of wireless network connections, creating a security gap that could be exploited by malicious actors with access to the underlying 802.11 network infrastructure.
The technical flaw lies in the improper connection handling mechanism of the Wi-Fi configuration software, which fails to properly validate or secure the connection process to wireless access points. This weakness allows attackers to potentially intercept or manipulate network communication flows when they have access to the same 802.11 network infrastructure. The vulnerability's root cause can be classified under CWE-284, which deals with improper access control in network communication protocols, and may also relate to CWE-310, concerning cryptographic issues in network protocols. The improper connection handling creates a window of opportunity for attackers to extract sensitive information from the device's network communications, potentially including authentication credentials, session data, or other confidential information transmitted over the wireless network.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a fundamental weakness in the wireless security architecture of these devices. Attackers with access to the same wireless network can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data that would normally be protected by proper network security measures. This vulnerability particularly affects users in public Wi-Fi environments where network access is shared among multiple parties, creating an elevated risk for users of these SoftBank devices who may be unknowingly exposed to data interception attacks. The impact is amplified when considering that these devices are mobile and frequently connect to public networks, increasing the attack surface and potential exposure windows.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate software updates and patches for all affected device models, particularly focusing on the Wi-Fi configuration applications. Organizations and users should implement network segmentation to isolate critical communications from public wireless networks, and deploy additional network monitoring tools to detect unusual connection patterns or potential exploitation attempts. The security community should consider this vulnerability as part of the broader ATT&CK framework under the T1046 technique for network service scanning and T1071 for application layer protocol usage, as attackers may use this vulnerability to establish persistent access points for further network exploration. Device manufacturers should implement more robust wireless security protocols and authentication mechanisms within their configuration software, ensuring proper validation of network connections and implementing stronger encryption practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future implementations.