CVE-2014-3501 in Cordova
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Cordova Android before 3.5.1 allows remote attackers to bypass the HTTP whitelist and connect to arbitrary servers by using JavaScript to open WebSocket connections through WebView.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2022
Apache Cordova Android versions prior to 3.5.1 contained a critical security flaw that enabled remote attackers to circumvent the application's HTTP whitelist protection mechanism. This vulnerability specifically targeted the WebView component used by Cordova applications to render web content and execute JavaScript code. The flaw occurred because the whitelist validation logic failed to properly restrict WebSocket connections, allowing malicious actors to establish unauthorized network connections to arbitrary servers. The vulnerability exploited a gap in the security model where JavaScript-based WebSocket connections could bypass the standard HTTP whitelist restrictions that were designed to prevent applications from communicating with untrusted external endpoints. This weakness was particularly dangerous because it undermined the fundamental security principle of network isolation that mobile applications rely on to protect users from malicious network traffic.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involved the manipulation of JavaScript code within Cordova applications to create WebSocket connections through the WebView component. When developers configured whitelist restrictions for HTTP traffic, these protections were not extended to WebSocket connections, creating an exploitable gap in the security architecture. Attackers could leverage this flaw by injecting malicious JavaScript code that established WebSocket connections to servers outside the approved whitelist, effectively bypassing the intended security controls. The vulnerability was classified under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, specifically relating to insufficient restrictions on network connections. This weakness allowed for potential data exfiltration, command execution, and other malicious activities that could compromise the integrity and confidentiality of mobile applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-3501 was significant for organizations deploying Cordova-based mobile applications, as it created a backdoor for attackers to access external resources without proper authorization. Mobile applications that relied on Cordova for cross-platform development were particularly vulnerable, especially those handling sensitive user data or operating in regulated environments where network security controls are critical. The vulnerability could be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious app updates, compromised web content, or social engineering attacks that诱导 users to interact with malicious JavaScript code. This weakness particularly affected applications that implemented whitelist-based security controls as a primary defense mechanism against unauthorized network access, rendering those controls ineffective against WebSocket-based attacks. The exploit required minimal privileges and could be executed through standard web-based attack methods, making it a high-risk vulnerability for widespread exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability required immediate application updates to Cordova Android version 3.5.1 or later, which included enhanced WebSocket connection validation and improved whitelist enforcement mechanisms. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as runtime application self-protection measures, network traffic monitoring, and regular security assessments of mobile applications. The fix addressed the core issue by strengthening the WebView component's handling of WebSocket connections and ensuring that all network access attempts, regardless of protocol, were properly validated against configured security policies. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation, application firewalls, and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlighted the importance of comprehensive security testing across all network protocols and connection types, particularly in mobile application environments where the attack surface can be expanded through JavaScript-based functionality. The remediation process should include thorough code reviews to identify any custom JavaScript implementations that might create similar security gaps, and security awareness training for development teams to prevent similar issues in future application development cycles.