CVE-2017-3214 in ONE-KEY
Summary
by MITRE
The Milwaukee ONE-KEY Android mobile application stores the master token in plaintext in the apk binary.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3214 represents a critical security flaw in the Milwaukee ONE-KEY Android mobile application that fundamentally undermines the application's authentication security model. This vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of cryptographic credentials, specifically storing the master token in plaintext within the application binary itself. The master token serves as the primary authentication mechanism that grants access to the user's smart lock system, making this flaw particularly dangerous as it provides attackers with direct access to the authentication credentials without requiring additional exploitation techniques.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling. The application's developers failed to implement proper cryptographic protection mechanisms for storing the master token, instead embedding it directly within the application package file. This approach violates fundamental security principles for credential storage and creates a persistent attack vector that remains active throughout the application's lifecycle. The plaintext storage occurs at the binary level, meaning that any attacker with access to the application package can extract the master token through simple reverse engineering techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond the immediate security implications, creating a significant risk landscape for users of the Milwaukee ONE-KEY application. Attackers can exploit this weakness by simply decompiling the application package to extract the master token, which then provides them with unrestricted access to all smart locks associated with that authentication credential. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which covers the exploitation of unencrypted stored credentials, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in security design. The exposure of the master token enables attackers to perform unauthorized access to physical security systems, potentially leading to property theft, unauthorized entry, and compromise of personal security infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary recommendation involves implementing proper cryptographic storage mechanisms such as hardware-backed keystore implementations or secure enclave protection for sensitive credentials. The application should employ encryption at rest for all stored credentials, with the master token being encrypted using strong cryptographic algorithms and protected by hardware security modules where available. Additionally, the application architecture should implement token rotation mechanisms and multi-factor authentication to reduce the impact of credential exposure. Security best practices dictate that no sensitive authentication data should be stored in plaintext within application binaries, and all cryptographic operations should be performed using established security frameworks such as Android Keystore System or similar platform-specific secure storage solutions. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts and establish incident response procedures for credential compromise scenarios.
The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental lack of security awareness in mobile application development practices and highlights the importance of following secure coding guidelines throughout the software development lifecycle. This flaw serves as a reminder that security considerations must be integrated from the initial design phase rather than treated as an afterthought, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing including static analysis and reverse engineering assessments. The presence of such vulnerabilities in widely used applications underscores the critical importance of proper security training for development teams and the implementation of robust security review processes.