CVE-2017-16028 in react-native-meteor-oauth
Summary
by MITRE
react-native-meteor-oauth is a library for Oauth2 login to a Meteor server in React Native. The oauth Random Token is generated using a non-cryptographically strong RNG (Math.random()).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16028 resides within the react-native-meteor-oauth library, which facilitates OAuth2 authentication flows between React Native applications and Meteor servers. This library serves as a critical component in mobile application security architectures where user authentication and session management rely heavily on secure token generation mechanisms. The flaw manifests in the library's implementation of random token generation for OAuth2 flows, specifically utilizing Math.random() instead of cryptographically secure random number generators. This represents a fundamental security weakness that directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of authentication processes in mobile applications.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the use of Math.random() which is a pseudorandom number generator designed for general programming purposes rather than cryptographic security requirements. This function operates on a deterministic algorithm that can be predictable and lacks the entropy necessary for generating secure authentication tokens. According to CWE-330, this vulnerability maps directly to insufficient entropy in random number generation, where the weakness lies in the application's failure to use cryptographically secure random number generators for security-sensitive operations. The predictable nature of Math.random() output means that attackers can potentially reconstruct token sequences and exploit this predictability to impersonate users or hijack authentication sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypasses, as it creates a pathway for sophisticated attack vectors within the mobile application security landscape. When mobile applications rely on insecure random number generation for OAuth2 token creation, they become susceptible to session hijacking attacks where malicious actors can predict or reproduce authentication tokens. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1550.001, which covers legitimate credentials, specifically focusing on the compromise of authentication tokens through predictable random number generation. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts and sensitive application data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from developers and security teams managing React Native applications that utilize the affected library. The primary remediation involves replacing Math.random() with cryptographically secure alternatives such as the crypto.getRandomValues() API available in modern JavaScript environments or native cryptographic libraries. Organizations should implement comprehensive dependency scanning to identify all instances of the vulnerable library across their application portfolio and ensure proper version updates. The fix must also include thorough security testing of authentication flows to validate that regenerated tokens now utilize proper entropy sources. Additionally, security teams should conduct regular audits of third-party libraries to ensure they meet cryptographic security standards and implement proper random number generation practices as outlined in NIST SP 800-90A guidelines for cryptographic random number generation.