CVE-2016-4811 in Broadband Platform Japan Connected-Free Wi-Fi Application
Summary
by MITRE
The NTT Broadband Platform Japan Connected-free Wi-Fi application 1.15.1 and earlier for Android and 1.13.0 and earlier for iOS allows man-in-the-middle attackers to obtain API access via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4811 affects the NTT Broadband Platform Japan Connected-free Wi-Fi application across both mobile platforms, presenting a significant security risk through unspecified attack vectors that enable man-in-the-middle exploitation. This vulnerability specifically targets versions 1.15.1 and earlier for Android systems and 1.13.0 and earlier for iOS devices, indicating a widespread impact across the mobile ecosystem of the platform. The flaw allows adversaries to intercept and manipulate communications between the application and its backend services, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of data transmitted through the API endpoints. The vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the application's security architecture, particularly concerning how it handles network communications and authentication processes.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the category of man-in-the-middle attacks, which are classified under CWE-310 and are systematically documented within the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of T1041. The application's failure to properly implement secure communication protocols creates opportunities for attackers to position themselves between the mobile client and the target server, enabling them to capture, modify, or redirect API requests and responses. This weakness likely stems from inadequate certificate validation, missing encryption mechanisms, or improper implementation of secure socket layer protocols that should protect the communication channel between the mobile application and the backend services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it potentially allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to API endpoints that may contain sensitive user information, authentication credentials, or transactional data. Mobile users who connect to the Connected-free Wi-Fi network through affected versions of the application become vulnerable to various malicious activities including credential theft, session hijacking, and data manipulation. The vulnerability affects not only individual user privacy but also the overall security posture of the NTT Broadband Platform, as compromised applications can serve as entry points for broader network infiltration. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, access restricted API functions, or even redirect users to malicious services that appear legitimate within the application context.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust secure communication protocols including proper certificate pinning, enforcing strong encryption standards, and ensuring comprehensive certificate validation processes are in place. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected versions, implementing secure coding practices that align with OWASP Mobile Security Project recommendations, and establishing network monitoring systems to detect anomalous API traffic patterns. The remediation process should include thorough security code reviews, implementation of mutual authentication mechanisms, and regular penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in the application's network communication stack. Additionally, users should be advised to avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi networks when using applications with known vulnerabilities, and organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and traffic analysis tools to detect potential man-in-the-middle attacks on their infrastructure.