CVE-2017-5672 in Enterprise Mobile Management
Summary
by MITRE
Kony Enterprise Mobile Management (EMM) before 4.2.5.2 has the vulnerability of disclosing the private key in clear-text when changing the parameters of the request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5672 affects Kony Enterprise Mobile Management (EMM) versions prior to 4.2.5.2, representing a critical security flaw in the mobile device management platform that governs enterprise mobile application deployment and management. This vulnerability specifically manifests when administrators modify request parameters within the EMM system, creating a scenario where private cryptographic keys are exposed in plaintext format. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient cryptographic protection mechanisms within the parameter modification functionality, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive cryptographic materials that should remain protected.
The technical flaw resides in the improper handling of cryptographic key material during parameter change operations, where the system fails to implement proper encryption or obfuscation mechanisms before processing or transmitting sensitive data. This weakness enables attackers to intercept and extract private keys that are transmitted or stored in clear-text format during routine administrative operations. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-310 (Cryptography Errors) as it involves the insecure handling of cryptographic keys and sensitive data. The exposure occurs during the parameter modification process, where the system does not adequately protect private key material, potentially allowing malicious actors to gain access to the underlying cryptographic infrastructure used for securing enterprise mobile communications.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for enterprises relying on Kony EMM for mobile device management, as the exposure of private keys compromises the entire security architecture. Attackers who exploit this vulnerability can potentially decrypt sensitive communications, impersonate legitimate services, and gain unauthorized access to enterprise mobile applications and data. The compromise extends beyond simple data exposure to include potential man-in-the-middle attacks, certificate forgery, and unauthorized access to protected mobile applications. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations, financial losses, and reputational damage when such cryptographic key exposure occurs, particularly in industries with strict data protection requirements such as healthcare, finance, and government sectors.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2017-5672 requires immediate deployment of the patched version 4.2.5.2 or later, which implements proper cryptographic key protection mechanisms during parameter modification operations. Organizations should also implement additional security controls including network monitoring for suspicious parameter change activities, regular cryptographic key rotation procedures, and enhanced access controls for administrative functions. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing to ensure that private key material is properly encrypted and protected during all system operations. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any potential compromise of cryptographic keys that may have occurred prior to patch deployment, and implement continuous monitoring solutions to detect similar vulnerabilities in other enterprise systems. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic key management and the potential consequences of inadequate security controls in mobile enterprise management platforms, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1552 (Unsecured Credentials) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) when considering the broader attack surface of mobile management systems.