CVE-2014-0072 in Cordova File-Transfer Standalone Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
ios/CDVFileTransfer.m in the Apache Cordova File-Transfer standalone plugin (org.apache.cordova.file-transfer) before 0.4.2 for iOS and the File-Transfer plugin for iOS from Cordova 2.4.0 through 2.9.0 might allow remote attackers to spoof SSL servers by leveraging a default value of true for the trustAllHosts option.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0072 affects the Apache Cordova File-Transfer plugin implementation on iOS platforms, specifically targeting versions prior to 0.4.2 in the standalone plugin and Cordova versions 2.4.0 through 2.9.0. This security flaw resides in the ios/CDVFileTransfer.m source file and represents a critical weakness in the plugin's SSL certificate validation mechanism. The vulnerability stems from the default configuration where the trustAllHosts parameter is set to true, which fundamentally undermines the security assurances that SSL/TLS protocols are designed to provide.
The technical flaw manifests through the improper handling of SSL certificate validation during file transfer operations. When trustAllHosts is enabled by default, the plugin bypasses standard certificate verification procedures that would normally validate the authenticity of SSL certificates against trusted certificate authorities. This configuration allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting fraudulent certificates that would otherwise be rejected by proper SSL validation. The vulnerability specifically impacts iOS implementations where the plugin's default behavior creates an insecure communication channel that accepts any SSL certificate without proper verification.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for mobile applications that utilize the affected Cordova File-Transfer plugin. Attackers can exploit this weakness to intercept and manipulate file transfers between mobile applications and remote servers, potentially gaining access to sensitive data, executing malicious code, or redirecting traffic to malicious endpoints. The vulnerability affects applications that rely on secure file transfers over HTTPS connections, making it particularly dangerous for applications handling personal information, financial data, or corporate assets. Mobile applications using these vulnerable versions become susceptible to attacks that could compromise user privacy and data integrity.
This vulnerability maps to CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041 for data obfuscation and T1566 for credential access through malicious file transfers. The security implications extend beyond simple certificate validation failures to encompass broader mobile application security concerns, particularly in environments where mobile apps handle sensitive information. Organizations deploying Cordova-based mobile applications must recognize that this vulnerability creates a persistent security risk that could be exploited across multiple applications utilizing the affected plugin versions.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected Cordova versions to 0.4.2 or later for the standalone plugin, or upgrading to Cordova 3.0.0 or higher for the integrated plugin. Administrators should also implement additional security controls such as explicit configuration of trustAllHosts to false in application code, monitoring for unauthorized certificate changes, and implementing network-level security controls to detect and prevent man-in-the-middle attacks. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of all mobile applications using Cordova frameworks to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other plugin components or custom implementations.