CVE-2015-5204 in Apache Cordova File Transfer Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
CRLF injection vulnerability in the Apache Cordova File Transfer Plugin (cordova-plugin-file-transfer) for Android before 1.3.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary headers via CRLF sequences in the filename of an uploaded file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2022
The CVE-2015-5204 vulnerability represents a critical CRLF injection flaw within the Apache Cordova File Transfer Plugin for Android platforms. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 1.3.0 and stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the plugin's file upload functionality. The issue manifests when the plugin processes filenames containing carriage return line feed sequences, which are typically used to separate headers in HTTP protocols. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious filenames that contain CRLF characters, thereby enabling them to inject arbitrary HTTP headers into the file transfer process. The vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of user-provided data during file upload operations, where the filename parameter is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into HTTP requests.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the filename parameter during file upload operations, where the CRLF sequences are interpreted as header terminators rather than part of the filename. When an attacker uploads a file with a malicious filename containing sequences such as %0d%0a or \r\n, these characters are processed by the plugin and injected into the HTTP header section of the outgoing request. This injection can potentially lead to various malicious outcomes including HTTP response splitting, header manipulation, and in some cases, the ability to redirect HTTP responses or inject malicious content into the server's response. The vulnerability specifically impacts the Android implementation of the Cordova plugin, making it particularly relevant for mobile applications built with this framework that handle file uploads.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5204 extends beyond simple header injection, as it can enable attackers to perform more sophisticated attacks such as cross-site scripting attempts, session hijacking, or even cache poisoning within the application's HTTP communication layer. Mobile applications utilizing the affected Cordova plugin become vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks where attackers can manipulate the HTTP headers to alter the behavior of the file transfer process. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-113, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of CRLF sequences in HTTP headers, and demonstrates how mobile application frameworks can inherit web application security flaws. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1190 technique for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, particularly through the use of HTTP header manipulation as a foothold for further exploitation.
Organizations and developers must implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including upgrading to version 1.3.0 or later of the Apache Cordova File Transfer Plugin, which includes proper input sanitization for filename parameters. Additionally, developers should implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers, including client-side sanitization of filenames before upload and server-side validation of all HTTP headers generated during file transfer operations. The implementation of strict character encoding policies for filename parameters and the use of secure coding practices that prevent CRLF sequences from being processed as header terminators represents essential defensive measures. Security teams should also conduct thorough code reviews of mobile applications utilizing Cordova frameworks to identify any potential custom implementations that might introduce similar vulnerabilities, as this flaw can be exacerbated by improper handling of user input within custom plugin modifications.