CVE-2017-15581 in Diary with Lock
Summary
by MITRE
In the "Diary with lock" (aka WriteDiary) application 4.72 for Android, neither HTTPS nor other encryption is used for transmitting data, despite the documentation that the product is intended for "a personal journal of ... secrets and feelings," which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by sniffing the network during LoginActivity or NoteActivity execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15581 affects the Diary with lock application version 4.72 for Android platforms, representing a critical security flaw in data transmission protocols. This application is designed for personal journaling and is explicitly marketed as a secure platform for storing "secrets and feelings," making the lack of proper encryption particularly concerning from a security perspective. The vulnerability manifests in the application's failure to implement secure communication channels during critical user interactions, specifically during the LoginActivity and NoteActivity phases where sensitive data is transmitted over networks.
The technical flaw stems from the application's complete omission of encryption mechanisms for data transmission, particularly failing to utilize HTTPS or equivalent secure protocols. This absence creates a man-in-the-middle attack vector where network traffic can be intercepted and analyzed by malicious actors. The vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles for mobile applications handling sensitive personal data, as established by industry standards such as CWE-319, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper network communication. During the authentication process and while users are creating or accessing journal entries, all transmitted data becomes vulnerable to eavesdropping attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, particularly given the nature of the application's intended use case. Attackers capable of performing network sniffing operations can capture login credentials, personal journal entries, and other sensitive information that users expect to remain confidential. This exposure undermines the core security promise of the application and creates potential for identity theft, emotional manipulation, and privacy violations. The vulnerability affects all users who rely on the application for storing personal and potentially sensitive information, making it particularly dangerous for individuals in vulnerable situations who might be using the application to document personal struggles, relationships, or confidential matters. The risk is amplified by the fact that no encryption is implemented at all, making it trivial for attackers to capture and analyze transmitted data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive encryption protocols throughout the application's communication channels. The most effective solution involves implementing HTTPS with proper certificate validation and ensuring all network communications are encrypted using industry-standard protocols such as TLS 1.2 or higher. This approach aligns with ATT&CK framework techniques related to credential access and data exposure, specifically addressing the need for secure network communication. Additionally, developers should conduct regular security assessments and implement proper secure coding practices to prevent similar issues in future releases. The application should also implement proper session management and authentication protocols to further enhance security. Organizations using this application should immediately cease using it until proper encryption mechanisms are implemented and verified through security testing. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure communication in mobile applications handling sensitive personal data, as outlined in various security frameworks including NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards for information security management.