CVE-2018-0701 in App Player
Summary
by MITRE
BlueStacks App Player (BlueStacks App Player for Windows 3.0.0 to 4.31.55, BlueStacks App Player for macOS 2.0.0 and later) allows an attacker on the same network segment to bypass access restriction to gain unauthorized access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0701 affects BlueStacks App Player versions 3.0.0 through 4.31.55 on Windows and version 2.0.0 and later on macOS. This security flaw represents a significant access control bypass issue that enables attackers within the same network segment to gain unauthorized access to the application's protected resources. The vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms and inadequate network security controls within the BlueStacks implementation, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors positioned on the same local network.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of network connections and authentication protocols within the BlueStacks application. When the application operates on a network segment, it fails to adequately verify the identity of connecting clients or implement proper access controls that would normally prevent unauthorized access. This weakness allows an attacker to establish connections to the application's network services without proper authentication, effectively bypassing the intended access restrictions. The vulnerability specifically impacts the application's network communication layer where it should enforce proper access controls but instead provides open access points that can be exploited by attackers with network-level privileges.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses a serious threat to users who operate BlueStacks App Player in shared network environments or corporate settings where network segmentation is not properly implemented. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it can potentially allow attackers to manipulate application data, execute arbitrary code, or gain access to sensitive information stored within the application's environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it does not require any special privileges or complex attack vectors beyond network access, making it exploitable by relatively casual attackers. This weakness can lead to data breaches, unauthorized modifications to application configurations, and potential escalation of privileges within the compromised system.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software applications. It also maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1071.004 for application layer protocol, T1046 for network service discovery, and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations using BlueStacks App Player should implement immediate mitigations such as network segmentation to isolate the application from critical network resources, disabling unnecessary network services, and implementing proper firewall rules to restrict access to the application's ports. Additionally, users should upgrade to patched versions of BlueStacks App Player, disable network sharing features when not required, and conduct regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their application environments. The remediation process should include comprehensive network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts and ensure that proper access controls are enforced through secure configuration management practices.