CVE-2014-1884 in PhoneGap
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Cordova 3.3.0 and earlier and Adobe PhoneGap 2.9.0 and earlier on Windows Phone 7 and 8 do not properly restrict navigation events, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended device-resource restrictions via content that is accessed (1) in an IFRAME element or (2) with the XMLHttpRequest method by a crafted application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1884 affects Apache Cordova versions 3.3.0 and earlier, as well as Adobe PhoneGap versions 2.9.0 and earlier, specifically on Windows Phone 7 and 8 platforms. This security flaw represents a critical navigation restriction bypass that undermines the intended security boundaries of mobile applications built using these frameworks. The issue stems from inadequate validation of navigation events within the webview component that hosts the application content, creating potential pathways for malicious actors to access restricted device resources.
The technical flaw manifests through improper handling of navigation events in the webview container that executes Cordova/PhoneGap applications on Windows Phone platforms. When applications attempt to navigate to external content, the framework fails to adequately validate or restrict these navigation attempts, particularly when content is loaded through IFRAME elements or XMLHttpRequest methods. This allows attackers to craft malicious applications that can access device resources and functionality that should normally be restricted or isolated from web content. The vulnerability specifically impacts the security model that separates web application content from device-level resources, creating a direct pathway for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for mobile application developers and end-users who rely on Cordova or PhoneGap frameworks for cross-platform mobile development. Attackers can exploit this weakness to bypass security restrictions that are typically enforced by the mobile platform's sandboxing mechanisms, potentially gaining access to sensitive device functions, file systems, or network resources. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise applications and mobile banking or financial applications where device-level security is paramount, as it allows for unauthorized access to device capabilities that should remain protected from web-based content execution.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from developers and system administrators. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to patched versions of Apache Cordova and Adobe PhoneGap that properly implement navigation event validation and restriction. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict IFRAME usage and XMLHttpRequest operations, and deploy runtime application protection (RASP) solutions to monitor for suspicious navigation patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and CWE-749 (Exposed Dangerous Method or Function) categories, and represents a technique that could be categorized under ATT&CK tactic T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and technique T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) when leveraged for lateral movement or data exfiltration. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding practices would help prevent similar navigation bypass scenarios in future development cycles.