CVE-2016-6547 in Nut App
Summary
by MITRE
The Zizai Tech Nut mobile app stores the account password used to authenticate to the cloud API in cleartext in the cache.db file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6547 represents a critical security flaw in the Zizai Tech Nut mobile application that directly violates fundamental principles of secure credential storage. This issue manifests through the application's improper handling of authentication credentials, specifically storing user passwords in plaintext format within the cache.db database file. The flaw demonstrates a severe lack of proper cryptographic protection mechanisms and violates industry best practices for mobile application security. The vulnerability falls under the category of insecure data storage as defined by CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive data through inadequate protection measures. Mobile applications must implement robust encryption and secure storage mechanisms to protect user credentials, yet this application fails to meet even basic security requirements.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the application level where the developers failed to apply appropriate cryptographic protections to sensitive data. The cache.db file serves as an insecure storage mechanism that retains user authentication tokens and passwords in their original, unencrypted form, making them immediately accessible to any attacker with file system access or those who can exploit the application's file handling mechanisms. This design flaw allows for immediate credential compromise upon successful exploitation, as the password is stored without any form of hashing, encryption, or obfuscation. The vulnerability demonstrates poor adherence to the principle of least privilege and fails to implement proper access controls for sensitive data storage, creating an attack surface that can be exploited through various vectors including local file system access, application sandbox escapes, or privilege escalation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass broader security implications for users and the organization. When user passwords are stored in cleartext, attackers can immediately gain unauthorized access to cloud API services without requiring additional authentication factors or complex attack vectors. This creates a significant risk of account takeover, data breaches, and potential lateral movement within cloud environments where the compromised credentials may be used to access additional resources. The vulnerability also exposes the organization to regulatory compliance violations, particularly under standards such as pci dss, hipaa, and gdpr, which mandate proper protection of sensitive user data. Additionally, the impact extends to the broader ecosystem as compromised credentials can be used to access other services where users may have reused passwords, creating cascading security risks. The vulnerability can be exploited through multiple attack paths including malware installation, physical device compromise, or through application-level vulnerabilities that allow file system access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues from occurring. The primary recommendation involves implementing proper cryptographic protection for all sensitive data including passwords, which should be stored using strong hashing algorithms with appropriate salt values rather than plaintext storage. The application should utilize secure key management practices and implement proper encryption for data at rest, following industry standards such as those specified in the nist cybersecurity framework. Additionally, the application architecture should be reviewed to eliminate unnecessary data caching of authentication credentials and implement proper session management mechanisms that do not rely on cleartext storage. Organizations should also implement comprehensive security testing including static and dynamic analysis to identify similar vulnerabilities in their mobile applications. The remediation process should include proper code review practices, security training for development teams, and implementation of automated security testing within the development lifecycle. Furthermore, the application should be designed with defense-in-depth principles, ensuring that even if one security control fails, other mechanisms remain effective to prevent unauthorized access to user credentials and maintain overall system integrity.