CVE-2015-5256 in Cordova-Android
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Cordova-Android before 4.1.0, when an application relies on a remote server, improperly implements a JavaScript whitelist protection mechanism, which allows attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via a crafted URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2022
Apache Cordova-Android versions prior to 4.1.0 contained a critical security flaw in their JavaScript whitelist protection mechanism that fundamentally compromised application security when remote server dependencies were present. This vulnerability stemmed from an insufficient implementation of the whitelist validation process that governed how JavaScript code could access external resources. The flaw allowed malicious actors to craft specially formatted URIs that would bypass the intended access controls, effectively undermining the security model designed to prevent unauthorized JavaScript execution against remote servers. The vulnerability specifically affected applications that relied on remote content or services, making it particularly dangerous for mobile applications that dynamically load content from external sources. Security researchers identified that the whitelist mechanism failed to properly validate URI schemes and protocols, enabling attackers to exploit the gap in validation logic to execute unauthorized JavaScript code against remote domains. This weakness created a pathway for attackers to perform cross-site scripting attacks, inject malicious code, or access sensitive data that should have been protected by the whitelist restrictions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and represents a classic example of how inadequate security controls can be exploited to bypass intended protection mechanisms. From an operational perspective, this flaw significantly increased the attack surface for Cordova-Android applications and could potentially allow for complete compromise of applications that depended on remote server functionality. The issue was particularly concerning because it affected the core security architecture of the framework, making it difficult for developers to detect and remediate without comprehensive application reevaluation. Organizations using affected versions faced potential data breaches, unauthorized access to user information, and the possibility of full application compromise. The vulnerability was addressed through updates that strengthened the whitelist validation mechanism and improved URI parsing to ensure proper scheme and protocol validation. Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability when assessing mobile application security, particularly in environments where remote content loading is a core application function. The flaw demonstrates the importance of robust input validation and proper security implementation in mobile frameworks that handle remote content access. Mitigation strategies included immediate upgrade to Cordova-Android 4.1.0 or later versions, implementation of additional application-level security controls, and thorough review of existing whitelist configurations. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish proper security testing procedures for mobile applications that rely on remote server integration. This vulnerability highlighted the critical need for comprehensive security testing of mobile application frameworks and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security implementations in mobile development environments. The issue also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation,' as the vulnerability could be leveraged to gain unauthorized access to application resources and potentially escalate privileges within the mobile application context.