CVE-2016-6538 in TrackR Bravo App
Summary
by MITRE
The TrackR Bravo mobile app stores the account password used to authenticate to the cloud API in cleartext in the cache.db file. Updated apps, version 5.1.6 for iOS and 2.2.5 for Android, have been released by the vendor to address the vulnerabilities in CVE-2016-6538, CVE-2016-6539, CVE-2016-6540 and CVE-2016-6541.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2024
The TrackR Bravo mobile application presents a critical security vulnerability through its improper handling of authentication credentials within the mobile device's local storage. This flaw represents a fundamental failure in mobile application security architecture where sensitive authentication data is persisted in an unencrypted format, creating an exploitable weakness that directly violates established security best practices. The vulnerability specifically affects the iOS version 5.1.5 and Android version 2.2.4 of the application, where the account password used for cloud API authentication is stored in cleartext within the cache.db database file, making it immediately accessible to any attacker with device access or sufficient privileges to read the application's local storage.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's insecure data storage practices, which aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and represents a direct violation of mobile security standards. When users authenticate to the cloud API through the TrackR Bravo application, their credentials are cached locally in the database file without any form of encryption or obfuscation. This cleartext storage mechanism creates an immediate risk where any individual with access to the device can extract the password from the cache.db file using standard file extraction techniques. The vulnerability exists at the application layer where sensitive data handling fails to implement proper cryptographic protection mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous in environments where devices may be lost, stolen, or accessed by unauthorized individuals.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, creating a cascading security risk that can compromise the entire user ecosystem. Attackers who gain access to a device containing the vulnerable application can immediately extract authentication credentials and use them to access cloud-based services, potentially gaining unauthorized access to user data, device tracking functionality, and associated personal information. This vulnerability directly enables credential replay attacks and can facilitate broader compromise of user accounts across multiple services if users employ the same credentials elsewhere. The risk is amplified by the fact that mobile devices frequently contain sensitive personal information and are often less secure than traditional computing environments, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to exploit such cleartext credential storage mechanisms.
The vendor addressed this vulnerability through targeted updates to both iOS and Android platforms, releasing versions 5.1.6 for iOS and 2.2.5 for Android, which implement proper credential handling mechanisms to prevent cleartext storage of authentication information. These updates represent a remediation approach that aligns with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 and OWASP Mobile Top 10, specifically addressing the insecure data storage category. The mitigation strategy involves implementing secure credential storage practices including encryption of sensitive data, proper key management, and adherence to mobile application security standards. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in their risk assessments and ensure that all mobile applications implement proper secure credential handling as part of their security development lifecycle, particularly when dealing with cloud API authentication and sensitive user data access. The incident highlights the critical importance of secure mobile application development practices and demonstrates how seemingly simple credential storage decisions can create significant security exposure risks.
This vulnerability serves as a clear example of how mobile security flaws can persist in applications despite the availability of well-established security practices and standards. The presence of such cleartext credential storage in a commercial mobile application indicates potential gaps in security testing, code review processes, and security awareness among development teams. The remediation approach taken by the vendor demonstrates the importance of regular security updates and the need for continuous monitoring of application security post-deployment. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability represents a low-effort, high-impact vector that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 (Credentials in Files) and illustrates how mobile application security flaws can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to cloud services and user data. The vulnerability underscores the necessity for comprehensive security testing including static code analysis, dynamic application security testing, and security architecture reviews to prevent such issues from reaching production environments.