CVE-2018-11505 in Werewolf Online App
Summary
by MITRE
The Werewolf Online application 0.8.8 for Android allows attackers to discover the Firebase token by reading logcat output.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11505 affects the Werewolf Online application version 0.8.8 on Android platforms, representing a critical security flaw that exposes sensitive authentication tokens through improper logging practices. This issue stems from the application's failure to sanitize log output containing Firebase authentication tokens, which are essential components for maintaining user session integrity and application security. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application writes Firebase token information to logcat output during normal operation, creating an attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to user accounts and sensitive data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's use of standard logging mechanisms that do not properly filter or redact sensitive information before writing to system logs. Firebase tokens are typically generated during user authentication processes and serve as cryptographic proofs of identity that grant access to backend services and user-specific data. When these tokens appear in logcat output, they become accessible to any process or user with appropriate permissions to read system logs, effectively providing attackers with direct access to user sessions without requiring additional authentication credentials. This flaw aligns with CWE-209, which addresses the improper handling of sensitive information in log files, and represents a classic case of information exposure through insecure logging practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as Firebase tokens can provide attackers with access to user data, real-time communication channels, and potentially backend services that depend on the authentication system. Attackers can leverage this information to impersonate users, access private communications, manipulate game state, and potentially escalate privileges within the application ecosystem. The vulnerability affects all users of the affected application version, with no user interaction required for exploitation, making it particularly dangerous in environments where adversaries have access to device logs or can install malicious applications with log reading permissions. This type of vulnerability is categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1074.001, which covers data staging through log files, and demonstrates how insecure logging practices can create persistent attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper log sanitization protocols and comprehensive code review processes. Developers should ensure that all sensitive information including authentication tokens, session identifiers, and cryptographic keys are filtered out of log output before being written to system logs. The application should implement secure logging practices that either disable logging of sensitive information entirely or properly redact such data before storage. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. The fix involves modifying the logging mechanism to exclude any data that could be used for unauthorized access, ensuring that Firebase tokens and similar authentication artifacts are never exposed through standard logging channels. Organizations should also implement monitoring systems to detect unusual log access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining compliance with security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Mobile Top 10 and NIST Cybersecurity Framework.