CVE-2016-1491 in SHAREit
Summary
by MITRE
The Wifi hotspot in Lenovo SHAREit before 3.2.0 for Windows, when configured to receive files, has a hardcoded password of 12345678, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access by leveraging a position within the WLAN coverage area.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1491 represents a critical security flaw in Lenovo SHAREit version 3.1.9 and earlier for Windows platforms. This issue specifically affects the wireless hotspot functionality within the application that enables file sharing between devices. The vulnerability stems from a hardcoded authentication mechanism that uses a predictable and extremely weak password of 12345678 for the hotspot configuration. This design flaw fundamentally undermines the security posture of the application by creating an easily exploitable access vector that requires no sophisticated attack techniques or prior knowledge of the network credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates poor security practices that align with CWE-326, which addresses the use of weak encryption or authentication mechanisms. The hardcoded password creates a persistent security weakness that exists across all instances of the vulnerable software, making it an attractive target for attackers who are within the wireless network coverage area. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of credential stuffing and weak authentication, where the default configuration provides minimal security protection. The flaw is particularly concerning because it operates at the network level, allowing remote attackers to gain access to the file sharing functionality without requiring any additional exploitation techniques.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for users who rely on the SHAREit application for file transfers. The weak authentication mechanism means that anyone within the WLAN coverage area can potentially access the hotspot and gain unauthorized access to the file sharing capabilities. This creates opportunities for data interception, unauthorized file transfers, and potential network infiltration. The vulnerability essentially provides a backdoor access point that can be exploited by malicious actors without requiring any specialized tools or knowledge of the target system. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform man-in-the-middle attacks, access shared files, or potentially use the hotspot as a launching point for further network exploration.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential data exfiltration and network compromise scenarios. According to ATT&CK framework concepts, this vulnerability maps to T1046 Network Service Scanning and T1071.004 Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, as it exposes network services that can be probed and exploited by attackers. The vulnerability also relates to T1566 Impersonation and T1078 Valid Accounts, since attackers can leverage the hardcoded credentials to assume legitimate network access. Organizations and individuals using vulnerable versions of SHAREit face increased risk of unauthorized file access and potential network compromise, especially in environments where wireless coverage extends beyond secure physical boundaries.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability are straightforward but require immediate action from users and administrators. The primary recommendation is to upgrade to Lenovo SHAREit version 3.2.0 or later, which addresses the hardcoded password issue by implementing proper authentication mechanisms. Additionally, users should disable the hotspot functionality when not actively using it, particularly in public or unsecured environments. Network administrators should consider implementing additional monitoring and access controls for wireless networks to detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper authentication design and the dangers of hardcoded credentials in network services, aligning with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO/IEC 27001 standards for access control and authentication management.