CVE-2014-1886 in Edinburgh by Bus
Summary
by MITRE
The Edinburgh by Bus application for Android, when Adobe PhoneGap 2.9.0 or earlier is used, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code, and consequently access external-storage resources, by leveraging control over one of a number of "obscure Eastern European dating sites."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1886 represents a critical security flaw in the Edinburgh by Bus Android application that stems from the use of outdated Adobe PhoneGap development framework version 2.9.0 or earlier. This particular version of PhoneGap contained significant security vulnerabilities that allowed malicious actors to exploit the application's architecture and execute arbitrary JavaScript code remotely. The vulnerability specifically leverages a weakness in how the application handles external resource access and JavaScript execution within its mobile framework environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a sophisticated attack vector that involves gaining control over specific external domains, namely "obscure Eastern European dating sites" mentioned in the description. This attack methodology demonstrates how modern mobile applications can be compromised through indirect pathways that exploit the underlying web technologies rather than direct application flaws. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of mobile application security and web-based exploitation techniques, creating a dangerous attack surface that allows remote code execution.
When attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability, they gain the ability to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the application context, which then provides them access to external storage resources. This represents a severe privilege escalation scenario where malicious actors can potentially access sensitive data stored on external storage devices, including user information, location data, or other confidential resources that the application may have access to. The attack chain demonstrates how mobile applications built with certain versions of cross-platform frameworks can become vulnerable to remote code execution through carefully crafted web-based attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it fundamentally compromises the security boundaries of the mobile application. Mobile applications typically operate within sandboxed environments that prevent unauthorized access to system resources, but this vulnerability effectively bypasses those protective mechanisms. The access to external storage resources could potentially lead to data exfiltration, privacy violations, or further exploitation of the device. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes weaknesses in the code that allow for arbitrary code execution, and represents a classic example of how mobile frameworks can introduce security risks that affect the entire application ecosystem.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping mobile development frameworks up to date, as older versions of PhoneGap contained known security flaws that could be exploited in the manner described. The attack vector also highlights the dangers of allowing external domains to have access to application resources, particularly when those domains are not properly secured or monitored. Organizations should implement comprehensive mobile security testing that includes framework version verification and proper input validation to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced into mobile applications. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that mobile application security requires attention to both the application code and the underlying frameworks that power those applications, with particular emphasis on maintaining current versions of development tools and libraries.