CVE-2017-4896 in AirWatch Console
Summary
by MITRE
Airwatch Inbox for Android contains a vulnerability that may allow a rooted device to decrypt the local data used by the application. Successful exploitation of this issue may result in an unauthorized disclosure of confidential data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2020
The CVE-2017-4896 vulnerability affects Airwatch Inbox for Android, a mobile device management application that provides secure email and messaging capabilities for enterprise environments. This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the application's data protection mechanisms, specifically targeting the encryption implementation used to safeguard local data storage on mobile devices. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it exploits the trust model between the application and the device's operating system, leveraging the elevated privileges available on rooted devices to bypass intended security controls.
The technical flaw resides in the application's local data encryption implementation, which fails to properly secure sensitive information stored on the device's file system. When a device is rooted, malicious actors can access system-level privileges that allow them to circumvent the application's encryption mechanisms and directly access the underlying data files. This vulnerability stems from inadequate implementation of cryptographic best practices, specifically failing to use proper key derivation functions and encryption algorithms that are resistant to offline attacks. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor through which encrypted data can be decrypted without proper authentication, undermining the fundamental security model of the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it compromises the integrity of enterprise mobile device management solutions. Organizations relying on Airwatch Inbox for Android may experience unauthorized disclosure of confidential communications, proprietary information, and potentially sensitive business data that should remain protected within the application's secure environment. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprises that deploy mobile device management solutions to protect corporate data, as it allows attackers with physical access to a rooted device to extract sensitive information without requiring network-based attacks or complex exploitation techniques. The attack vector is simplified due to the requirement for device rooting, which is often achieved through existing device vulnerabilities or through user compromise.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive mobile device management policies that prevent device rooting and enforce secure configuration settings. Organizations should consider deploying additional security controls such as application containerization, enhanced encryption key management, and regular security assessments of mobile applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper cryptographic implementation and adherence to security standards such as those defined in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, specifically CWE-310 which addresses cryptographic weaknesses. Security controls should also align with ATT&CK framework tactics such as T1059 for command and script interpreter and T1070 for indicator removal, as attackers may attempt to exploit this vulnerability to establish persistent access. Additionally, organizations should implement mobile application security testing procedures that include static and dynamic analysis to identify similar cryptographic flaws in their mobile applications and ensure proper implementation of encryption mechanisms that are resilient against device-level attacks.