CVE-2017-11129 in StashCat
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in heinekingmedia StashCat through 1.7.5 for Android. The keystore is locked with a hard-coded password. Therefore, everyone with access to the keystore can read the content out, for example the private key of the user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11129 represents a critical security flaw in the heinekingmedia StashCat Android application version 1.7.5 and earlier. This issue stems from a fundamental cryptographic weakness where the application employs a hard-coded password to lock its keystore, creating an inherent security vulnerability that undermines the entire cryptographic framework designed to protect sensitive user data. The implementation violates core security principles by embedding authentication credentials directly within the application code, making them accessible to any attacker who gains access to the application's resources.
The technical flaw manifests through the use of a hardcoded cryptographic password within the keystore implementation, which serves as the primary mechanism for securing sensitive information such as private keys. This approach directly contravenes established security best practices and industry standards, particularly those outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project and NIST guidelines for mobile application security. The hard-coded password creates a single point of failure where the entire cryptographic system becomes compromised as soon as the password is discovered through reverse engineering or static analysis of the application binary. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-798 weakness category, which specifically addresses the use of hardcoded credentials, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 for unsecured credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it fundamentally compromises the confidentiality and integrity of user data stored within the application. When attackers gain access to the keystore through various exploitation techniques, they can extract sensitive information including private keys, which may be used for malicious purposes such as impersonation, unauthorized transactions, or further attacks on connected systems. The vulnerability affects all users of the affected application versions and creates persistent security risks that cannot be resolved through user actions alone, as the flaw exists within the application's core implementation rather than user configuration or behavior. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in mobile environments where applications may be installed on devices with limited security controls and may be subject to various forms of exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate remediation of the application code to eliminate the hardcoded password and implement proper cryptographic key management practices. Developers must implement secure key storage mechanisms such as Android Keystore System or hardware-backed key storage where available, ensuring that cryptographic keys are not embedded within the application binary. The solution should incorporate proper key derivation functions with strong random salts and avoid any form of hardcoded credentials. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be implemented to identify similar vulnerabilities, with adherence to security frameworks such as the Mobile Application Security Verification Standard (MASVS) and regular penetration testing to validate the effectiveness of implemented controls. Organizations should also consider implementing application shielding or obfuscation techniques to make reverse engineering more difficult, although this should not be considered a substitute for proper cryptographic implementation.