CVE-2017-14487 in OhMiBod Remote App
Summary
by MITRE
The OhMiBod Remote app for Android and iOS allows remote attackers to impersonate users by sniffing network traffic for search responses from the OhMiBod API server and then editing the username, user_id, and token fields in data/data/com.ohmibod.remote2/shared_prefs/OMB.xml.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14487 represents a critical authentication flaw in the OhMiBod Remote mobile application for both android and ios platforms. This security weakness stems from improper handling of session tokens and user authentication data within the application's local storage mechanisms. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to perform credential impersonation attacks by intercepting network traffic and manipulating stored authentication information, fundamentally undermining the application's security model and user authentication integrity.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a combination of network sniffing capabilities and local file system manipulation. Attackers can capture search responses from the OhMiBod API server while the application is in operation, then proceed to modify the stored authentication parameters within the application's private data directory at data/data/com.ohmibod.remote2/shared_prefs/OMB.xml. This xml configuration file contains sensitive authentication tokens including username, user_id, and token fields that are crucial for maintaining user session integrity and authorization status. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear failure in implementing proper data validation and secure storage practices for sensitive authentication information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass full user impersonation capabilities within the OhMiBod ecosystem. Once an attacker successfully manipulates the stored authentication data, they can assume the identity of any user who has previously authenticated with the application, potentially gaining access to sensitive personal data, device control functions, and other user-specific resources. This type of vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles and can lead to unauthorized access to connected devices and services that rely on the OhMiBod platform for remote control functionality.
This vulnerability aligns with multiple cybersecurity standards and frameworks, particularly CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-521 (Weak Password Requirements), while also mapping to ATT&CK technique T1550.002 (Use of Valid Credentials) and T1041 (Exfiltration Over C2 Channel). The weakness demonstrates inadequate secure storage practices for authentication tokens and highlights the importance of implementing proper encryption for sensitive data at rest. Organizations should implement proper input validation, secure data storage mechanisms, and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in mobile applications that handle user authentication and session management.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include implementing encryption for all sensitive data stored locally on mobile devices, implementing proper secure storage mechanisms for authentication tokens, and establishing robust network traffic monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts. Mobile application developers should adopt secure coding practices that prevent cleartext storage of sensitive information and implement proper session management protocols. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in mobile applications that handle user authentication and authorization processes. The implementation of certificate pinning and secure communication protocols can also help prevent man-in-the-middle attacks that could facilitate this type of exploitation.