CVE-2014-1882 in PhoneGap
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Cordova 3.3.0 and earlier and Adobe PhoneGap 2.9.0 and earlier allow remote attackers to bypass intended device-resource restrictions of an event-based bridge via a crafted library clone that leverages IFRAME script execution and directly accesses bridge JavaScript objects, as demonstrated by certain cordova.require calls.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1882 represents a critical security flaw in Apache Cordova and Adobe PhoneGap mobile application frameworks that affects versions 3.3.0 and earlier for Cordova, and 2.9.0 and earlier for PhoneGap. This vulnerability stems from improper implementation of the event-based bridge mechanism that governs communication between JavaScript and native device resources within mobile applications. The flaw allows malicious actors to bypass intended security restrictions that are designed to prevent unauthorized access to device capabilities and resources. The vulnerability specifically targets the bridge architecture that facilitates communication between the WebView layer and native device APIs, creating an avenue for privilege escalation and unauthorized resource access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a sophisticated attack vector involving crafted library cloning techniques combined with IFRAME script execution mechanisms. Attackers can leverage this method to directly access bridge JavaScript objects that should normally be restricted to authorized applications only. The exploitation process involves creating a malicious clone of the library components that can execute within the same execution context as legitimate applications. This allows attackers to bypass the normal security boundaries that typically prevent direct access to device resources through the bridge mechanism. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers to perform cordova.require calls directly against the bridge objects, effectively circumventing the intended security model that separates application code from native device functionality.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1882 is severe and far-reaching for mobile application developers and end users. Applications built using affected versions of Cordova or PhoneGap become vulnerable to attacks that can potentially access sensitive device resources including camera, microphone, file system, location services, and other native APIs. This vulnerability essentially allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the application, potentially leading to complete device compromise. The attack can be performed remotely without requiring physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where applications are frequently downloaded from untrusted sources. The vulnerability undermines the fundamental security model of mobile application frameworks that rely on sandboxing and restricted access to device resources to protect user privacy and device integrity.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and CWE-352 (Cross-Site Request Forgery) categories, reflecting the improper access control mechanisms that enable unauthorized access to device resources. The attack pattern follows techniques described in MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) domains. Organizations should immediately upgrade to versions of Cordova and PhoneGap that address this vulnerability, with the fix typically implemented through enhanced bridge security controls and proper validation of library access. Additionally, developers should implement comprehensive security testing including dynamic analysis and code review processes to identify potential bridge-related vulnerabilities in their mobile applications. The remediation strategy should include thorough testing of application security controls and verification that the updated framework properly enforces access restrictions for device resources.