CVE-2017-13104 in UberEATS: Uber for Food Delivery
Summary
by MITRE
Uber Technologies, Inc. UberEATS: Uber for Food Delivery, 1.108.10001, 2017-11-02, iOS application uses a hard-coded key for encryption. Data stored using this key can be decrypted by anyone able to access this key.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13104 affects Uber Technologies Inc.'s UberEATS mobile application version 1.108.10001 released on November 2, 2017. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the application's cryptographic implementation where a hard-coded encryption key is embedded within the iOS application binary. The presence of such a hard-coded key fundamentally undermines the security model of the application's data protection mechanisms, creating a scenario where any attacker with access to the application can potentially decrypt sensitive information stored locally on the device.
This vulnerability falls under the category of weak cryptographic key management as classified by CWE-326, specifically CWE-327, which deals with the use of weak encryption algorithms and improper key handling. The flaw directly enables unauthorized data access through a technique that aligns with ATT&CK tactic TA0006 - Credential Access, particularly through the sub-technique T1552.001 - Unsecured Credentials. The hard-coded key serves as a backdoor that bypasses normal authentication mechanisms, allowing attackers to gain access to user data without requiring additional credentials or authentication factors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it affects the confidentiality of sensitive user information including personal details, delivery addresses, order history, and potentially payment information. When encryption keys are hardcoded within applications, they become permanently accessible to anyone who can analyze the application binary through reverse engineering techniques. This creates a persistent security risk that remains active throughout the application's lifecycle, regardless of updates or patches applied to other parts of the system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for a food delivery platform where users expect their personal and location data to remain private and secure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate remediation through the removal of hard-coded keys and implementation of proper cryptographic key management practices. Organizations should adopt secure key storage mechanisms such as iOS Keychain services or secure enclave components that provide hardware-level protection for cryptographic keys. The recommended approach involves implementing dynamic key generation and secure key derivation functions that do not rely on static values embedded within the application. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify and eliminate similar patterns of insecure key handling, aligning with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-57 for cryptographic key management. The remediation process must also include proper application obfuscation techniques to make reverse engineering more difficult, though this should not be considered a substitute for proper cryptographic implementation.