CVE-2017-12817 in Internet Security
Summary
by MITRE
In Kaspersky Internet Security for Android 11.12.4.1622, some of the application trace files were not encrypted.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12817 affects Kaspersky Internet Security for Android version 11.12.4.1622 where certain application trace files were not properly encrypted. This represents a significant security weakness in the mobile security solution's data protection mechanisms. The issue stems from inadequate encryption implementation within the application's file handling processes, leaving sensitive operational data exposed to potential unauthorized access. Trace files typically contain detailed information about application behavior, user interactions, and system activities that could prove valuable to threat actors seeking to understand the security solution's operational patterns and identify potential attack vectors. The vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles regarding data confidentiality and protection of sensitive information.
This flaw falls under the category of insufficient encryption implementation as classified by CWE-310, specifically addressing the weakness where cryptographic mechanisms fail to provide adequate protection for sensitive data. The vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to access potentially sensitive information that should remain protected within the application's secure environment. Mobile security applications like Kaspersky Internet Security handle vast amounts of system-level data including user behavior patterns, network activity logs, and security event records that, when unencrypted, could reveal critical operational details about the device's security posture. The lack of encryption for trace files represents a failure in the application's data protection architecture, potentially exposing information that could be leveraged for targeted attacks against the device or the user's security environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it creates opportunities for adversaries to gather intelligence about the security solution's behavior and operational characteristics. Attackers could potentially use the unencrypted trace data to understand how the security application processes information, identifies threats, and interacts with system components. This intelligence gathering capability could enable more sophisticated attacks targeting the security solution itself, potentially leading to bypassing of security controls or exploitation of the application's own defensive mechanisms. The vulnerability also raises concerns about user privacy, as trace files may contain sensitive information about user activities, applications accessed, and security events encountered by the device.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper encryption mechanisms for all trace files and log data generated by the application. Security practitioners should ensure that all sensitive data within mobile security applications is encrypted both at rest and in transit, following industry standards such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-57 for cryptographic key management. The remediation process should involve comprehensive code review to identify all file types that require encryption, implementation of robust encryption algorithms, and verification that encryption is consistently applied across all trace file generation processes. Additionally, organizations should implement regular security assessments to ensure that similar vulnerabilities do not exist in other components of their mobile security infrastructure, adhering to the principles of defense in depth as recommended by the MITRE ATT&CK framework for mobile security threats.