CVE-2013-3692 in BlackBerry
Summary
by MITRE
BlackBerry 10 OS before 10.0.10.648 on BlackBerry Z10 smartphones uses weak permissions for a BlackBerry Protect object, which allows physically proximate attackers to bypass intended access restrictions by leveraging a user s BlackBerry Protect password-reset request and a user s installation of a crafted application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3692 represents a critical security flaw in the BlackBerry 10 operating system affecting BlackBerry Z10 smartphones prior to version 10.0.10.648. This weakness stems from insufficient permission controls governing the BlackBerry Protect object, which serves as a security mechanism for protecting user data and system integrity. The vulnerability specifically exploits the interaction between the password reset functionality and application installation processes, creating an attack vector that can be leveraged by adversaries who are physically present near the target device. The flaw resides in the operating system's privilege management framework, where default permissions for sensitive security objects are inadequately restrictive, allowing unauthorized access to protected system components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient privilege separation within the mobile operating system architecture. Attackers can exploit this weakness by first initiating a legitimate BlackBerry Protect password reset request, which then provides them with an opportunity to install a malicious application that has been crafted specifically to exploit the weak permissions. This attack requires physical proximity to the target device, aligning with the concept of physical access attacks as outlined in the attack tree model. The vulnerability essentially creates a window of opportunity where the legitimate password reset process inadvertently grants malicious applications elevated privileges that they should not normally possess. This represents a failure in the principle of least privilege enforcement, where system components should only have the minimum permissions necessary to perform their intended functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to potentially enabling full system compromise and data exfiltration. An attacker with physical proximity can exploit this weakness to bypass the intended security controls designed to protect user information and system integrity. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the BlackBerry 10 platform, particularly concerning the protection of sensitive user data and the integrity of the application installation process. The attack scenario demonstrates how seemingly legitimate system features can be subverted to create security breaches, representing a significant concern for enterprise users who rely on BlackBerry devices for business communications. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems, potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive corporate data, intercept communications, and manipulate system configurations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates to the patched version 10.0.10.648 or later, which addresses the weak permissions issue through enhanced privilege management controls. Organizations should implement comprehensive security awareness training to educate users about the risks of installing untrusted applications and the importance of maintaining physical security of mobile devices. The remediation process should include verifying that all BlackBerry Z10 devices in the organization have been updated to the latest security patches and conducting regular audits to ensure compliance. Additionally, security policies should be established to restrict the installation of applications from untrusted sources and to implement device management solutions that can enforce security configurations. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper privilege escalation controls and demonstrates how weak permission models can create exploitable conditions that allow attackers to bypass intended security measures. The incident underscores the need for continuous security monitoring and proactive patch management to address vulnerabilities before they can be exploited in the wild, aligning with best practices recommended in the NIST cybersecurity framework and industry standards for mobile device security management.