CVE-2014-1826 in iThoughtsHD
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the iThoughtsHD app 4.19 for iOS on iPad devices, when the WiFi Transfer feature is used, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted map name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2026
The CVE-2014-1826 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the iThoughtsHD application version 4.19 for iOS devices, specifically affecting iPad users who utilize the WiFi Transfer functionality. This vulnerability resides within the application's handling of user-provided data during map name creation, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious code within the context of the user's browser session. The flaw demonstrates a classic input validation weakness where the application fails to properly sanitize user input before rendering it in web contexts, particularly when transferring map data over WiFi networks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it leverages the legitimate WiFi Transfer feature that users would normally trust and employ for legitimate collaboration purposes, making the attack vector both accessible and potentially undetectable to end users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient output encoding and input sanitization within the iThoughtsHD application's web interface components. When users create or modify map names through the WiFi Transfer feature, the application processes these names without adequate validation or encoding mechanisms that would prevent malicious scripts from being executed. This flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored XSS vulnerability where the malicious payload is persisted in the application's data storage and executed whenever the affected content is rendered. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction beyond the normal use of the WiFi Transfer feature, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through social engineering or automated means without requiring complex attack chains.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary code within the context of the user's browser session. This could enable attackers to access sensitive user data, modify map content, perform actions on behalf of the user, or redirect users to malicious websites. The vulnerability affects all iPad users running iThoughtsHD version 4.19 who have WiFi Transfer enabled, creating a broad attack surface that could be exploited in targeted campaigns or mass attacks. Security researchers have noted that the vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that users often trust collaborative features like WiFi Transfer, making successful exploitation more likely due to reduced user suspicion and security awareness. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring physical access to the device or knowledge of the user's network credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1826 should focus on immediate application updates and input validation improvements. Users should immediately upgrade to the latest version of iThoughtsHD where the vulnerability has been patched, as the fix typically involves implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations deploying this application should conduct thorough security assessments of their mobile device management policies and ensure all iOS applications are regularly updated. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls or content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious script payloads. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Phishing and T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter highlights the need for comprehensive security awareness training for users who might inadvertently trigger the vulnerability through malicious map names. Additionally, implementing proper input validation frameworks such as those recommended by OWASP can prevent similar issues in future development cycles, ensuring that user-supplied data is properly escaped and validated before being processed or rendered in web contexts.