CVE-2014-3500 in Cordova
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Cordova Android before 3.5.1 allows remote attackers to change the start page via a crafted intent URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3500 affects Apache Cordova Android versions prior to 3.5.1, presenting a significant security risk that enables remote attackers to manipulate application behavior through crafted intent URLs. This flaw resides in the Android platform integration of Cordova, which is widely used for developing cross-platform mobile applications. The vulnerability specifically targets the application's intent handling mechanism, which is fundamental to Android's inter-application communication system. When an application processes intents from external sources without proper validation, it creates an attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to redirect application flow or modify execution paths.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within Cordova's Android implementation. When applications receive intent URLs from external sources, the framework fails to properly sanitize or validate the URL parameters before using them to determine the application's starting page. This allows attackers to craft malicious URLs that contain specially formatted parameters which, when processed by the vulnerable Cordova version, cause the application to load content from unintended locations. The flaw essentially permits arbitrary redirection of the application's initial load behavior, potentially leading to loading of malicious content or phishing attacks that can deceive users into interacting with harmful resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple redirection, as it can enable more sophisticated attack vectors including man-in-the-middle attacks, credential theft through phishing, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities present in the redirected content. Attackers can leverage this flaw by sending malicious links through various communication channels such as email, messaging applications, or compromised websites. When users click these links, the application opens with the attacker-controlled start page, potentially bypassing security mechanisms that would normally protect against such threats. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Cordova applications may handle sensitive data or perform critical business functions, as it could allow unauthorized access to confidential information or system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3500 primarily focus on updating to Apache Cordova Android version 3.5.1 or later, which includes proper input validation for intent URLs. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected applications are updated promptly. Additional protective measures include implementing strict content security policies, validating all external intent sources, and configuring application permissions to limit unnecessary access to external resources. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20 Improper Input Validation, which is classified under the broader category of input validation weaknesses in software security. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it involves exploiting application interfaces to gain unauthorized access to system resources. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect suspicious intent-based traffic patterns and establish secure coding practices that emphasize input validation for all external data sources.