CVE-2014-1409 in Virtual Smartphone Platform
Summary
by MITRE
MobileIron VSP versions prior to 5.9.1 and Sentry versions prior to 5.0 have an authentication bypass vulnerability due to an XML file with obfuscated passwords
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1409 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw affecting MobileIron VSP and Sentry platforms. This issue stems from improper handling of XML configuration files that contain obfuscated passwords, creating a significant security weakness in the authentication mechanism. The vulnerability impacts versions prior to 5.9.1 for VSP and 5.0 for Sentry, indicating a widespread exposure across multiple product iterations. MobileIron's security infrastructure relies on proper authentication controls to protect enterprise mobile device management systems, making this flaw particularly concerning for organizations dependent on these platforms for mobile security operations.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the XML file processing logic where passwords are stored in an obfuscated format rather than properly encrypted. This obfuscation technique, while intended to provide some level of protection, proves insufficient against determined attackers who can reverse engineer the obfuscation process. The flaw allows unauthorized users to access the system by exploiting the predictable nature of the obfuscated password storage mechanism. Attackers can leverage this weakness to bypass authentication controls entirely, gaining administrative access to the MobileIron platform without proper credentials. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security practices in handling sensitive authentication data, as the system fails to implement proper cryptographic measures for password storage.
The operational impact of this authentication bypass vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially enabling attackers to compromise entire mobile device management infrastructures. Organizations utilizing MobileIron for enterprise mobile security face significant risks including data breaches, unauthorized device provisioning, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the core security functions of MobileIron platforms, undermining the trust model that enterprise customers rely upon for mobile device management. Attackers could exploit this flaw to gain full administrative control over mobile device management policies, potentially disrupting business operations and exposing sensitive corporate data. The impact is particularly severe given that MobileIron platforms typically serve as central points for enterprise mobile security management, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking persistent access to organizational networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1409 require immediate patching of affected MobileIron versions to 5.9.1 or later for VSP and 5.0 or later for Sentry. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to MobileIron platforms and establish monitoring for unauthorized authentication attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive assessments of their mobile device management infrastructure to identify any other potential vulnerabilities in related systems. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-257, which addresses insecure storage of passwords, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential access through social engineering. Organizations should review their mobile security policies and implement multi-factor authentication where possible to reduce the impact of potential credential compromise. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues in other enterprise security platforms that may exhibit similar authentication bypass vulnerabilities.