CVE-2014-0647 in Starbucks
Summary
by MITRE
The Starbucks 2.6.1 application for iOS stores sensitive information in plaintext in the Crashlytics log file (/Library/Caches/com.crashlytics.data/com.starbucks.mystarbucks/session.clslog), which allows attackers to discover usernames, passwords, and e-mail addresses via an application that reads session.clslog.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-0647 represents a critical security flaw in the Starbucks mobile application version 2.6.1 for iOS devices. This issue stems from improper data handling practices where the application stores sensitive authentication and personal information in an unencrypted format within Crashlytics log files. The specific file path /Library/Caches/com.crashlytics.data/com.starbucks.mystarbucks/session.clslog contains plaintext credentials and user identifiers, creating a significant exposure risk for mobile application users.
The technical implementation flaw manifests through the application's failure to implement proper encryption or data sanitization mechanisms for crash reporting and logging functionalities. When the Starbucks application crashes or experiences errors, it generates log files that inadvertently capture user session data including usernames, passwords, and email addresses in their raw, unencrypted form. This design decision violates fundamental security principles for mobile application development and creates an attack vector that can be exploited by malicious actors with access to the device's file system. The vulnerability directly corresponds to CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling and storage practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it exposes users to potential identity theft, account takeover attacks, and unauthorized access to personal information. Attackers who gain access to the device can easily extract the plaintext credentials from the session.clslog file without requiring sophisticated cracking techniques or additional exploitation methods. This vulnerability undermines the trust users place in the application's security measures and creates a persistent risk for compromised accounts. The exposure affects not only individual users but also the organization's reputation and compliance with security standards such as those outlined in the payment card industry data security standard and general privacy regulations.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper encryption for all sensitive data stored in application cache files and ensuring that Crashlytics and similar third-party logging services are configured to exclude or encrypt sensitive information. Organizations should adopt secure coding practices that prevent plaintext storage of authentication credentials and personal data, as recommended by the OWASP Mobile Security Project and the National Institute of Standards and Technology mobile security guidelines. The implementation of data loss prevention measures, regular security audits of third-party integrations, and comprehensive mobile application security testing can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future versions. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of storing sensitive information in unencrypted formats and the importance of maintaining secure device access controls to protect against unauthorized file system access.