CVE-2015-2000 in Jumio
Summary
by MITRE
The Jumio SDK before 1.5.0 for Android might allow attackers to execute arbitrary code by leveraging a finalize method in a Serializable class that improperly passes an attacker-controlled pointer to a native function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2000 resides within the Jumio SDK version 1.4.9 and earlier for Android platforms, representing a critical security flaw that could enable remote code execution. This issue stems from improper handling of object serialization within the SDK's architecture, specifically targeting the finalize method implementation in a Serializable class. The vulnerability manifests when the SDK processes attacker-controlled data through its serialization mechanism, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate native function calls. The affected component operates within the Android application environment where Java objects are serialized for transmission or storage, and the native code execution occurs through JNI (Java Native Interface) bindings. This flaw fundamentally violates secure coding principles by allowing untrusted input to influence native code execution paths.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the Java serialization mechanism combined with native function calls through the finalize method. When a Serializable object is deserialized, the finalize method gets invoked, which in turn passes an attacker-controlled pointer to a native function within the SDK's native libraries. This creates a classic use-after-free or arbitrary code execution scenario where the attacker can manipulate the native function parameters to redirect execution flow. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the legitimate serialization infrastructure while introducing malicious behavior through crafted input data. The attack vector requires the SDK to process malicious serialized data, which could occur during network communication, local data storage operations, or when handling user-provided content. This represents a sophisticated attack pattern that combines serialization flaws with native code manipulation, making it particularly challenging to detect and prevent.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2000 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass full system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected Android application, potentially leading to complete device compromise. The vulnerability affects applications that integrate the Jumio SDK for identity verification processes, which are commonly used in banking, financial services, and other security-sensitive applications. This creates a significant risk for enterprises relying on the SDK, as compromised applications could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive user data, financial transactions, and corporate information. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require user interaction, making it particularly dangerous for mobile applications where users may not be aware of the underlying security risks. The impact is further amplified by the widespread adoption of the Jumio SDK across various mobile applications, potentially affecting thousands of end-user devices and enterprise systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2000 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to Jumio SDK 1.5.0 or later, which contain the necessary fixes to address the serialization and native function call handling. Organizations should implement comprehensive application security testing including static and dynamic analysis of their mobile applications to identify potential exploitation vectors. The fix typically involves proper validation and sanitization of serialized data before processing, removal or modification of vulnerable finalize methods, and secure handling of native function parameters. Security teams should also implement network monitoring to detect suspicious data patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices around serialization and native code interactions, aligning with CWE-502 which addresses deserialization of untrusted data. The remediation process should include thorough code reviews of any custom implementations that interact with the SDK, ensuring that proper input validation and secure coding practices are maintained throughout the application lifecycle. Organizations should also consider implementing mobile application security solutions that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting similar vulnerabilities in their mobile application portfolios.