CVE-2014-6130 in Notes Traveler
Summary
by MITRE
The IBM Notes Traveler application before 9.0.1.3 for Android lacks a warning message during selection of an HTTP session, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by sniffing the network during a session in which the user had intended to use HTTPS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6130 affects the IBM Notes Traveler application version 9.0.1.2 and earlier on Android platforms, representing a significant security flaw in the application's session management and user authentication mechanisms. This weakness stems from the application's failure to implement proper session security warnings during HTTP session selection processes, creating an exploitable condition that undermines the intended security posture of the mobile client. The vulnerability specifically impacts how the application handles secure versus insecure network connections, particularly when users transition between HTTP and HTTPS protocols during their session.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's inability to warn users when they inadvertently select an HTTP connection instead of the secure HTTPS protocol. This design oversight allows attackers to intercept network traffic during the session establishment phase when users may have intended to use encrypted HTTPS connections. The vulnerability essentially creates a man-in-the-middle attack vector where network sniffing can reveal sensitive authentication tokens, session identifiers, and other confidential data that should remain protected within the encrypted HTTPS channel. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in the application's security policy enforcement and user interface security warnings, specifically categorized under CWE-310 as "Cryptographic Issues" and CWE-613 as "Insufficient Session Expiration" in the context of improper session handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally compromises the security model of the IBM Notes Traveler mobile application. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to capture authentication credentials, session cookies, and potentially sensitive email data that users expect to be protected through HTTPS encryption. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in public Wi-Fi environments or any network where packet sniffing is feasible, as it provides attackers with a straightforward method to obtain access to corporate email accounts and sensitive business information. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and secure by default design principles that should govern all enterprise mobile applications.
Organizations utilizing IBM Notes Traveler on Android devices face significant risk exposure through this vulnerability, as it undermines the security assurances that users expect from encrypted mobile email applications. The attack vector is relatively simple to execute, requiring only basic network monitoring tools and knowledge of the application's behavior during session establishment. Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of the IBM Notes Traveler 9.0.1.3 patch or later versions that address this specific session selection warning issue. Additionally, organizations should implement network security controls such as mandatory HTTPS enforcement and network segmentation to limit the effectiveness of potential attacks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with T1046 Network Service Scanning and T1566 Phishing, as it enables attackers to gather information that can be used for more sophisticated social engineering attacks. Network administrators should also consider implementing application-layer firewalls and monitoring for unusual HTTP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper user interface security warnings and the necessity of robust session management protocols in mobile enterprise applications.