CVE-2018-12446 in App
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** An issue was discovered in the com.dropbox.android application 98.2.2 for Android. The Passcode feature allows authentication bypass via runtime manipulation that forces a certain method's return value to true. In other words, an attacker could authenticate with an arbitrary passcode. NOTE: the vendor indicates that this is not an attack of interest within the context of their threat model, which excludes Android devices on which rooting has occurred.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12446 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within the Dropbox Android application version 98.2.2. This issue specifically targets the application's passcode protection mechanism, which is designed to secure user data through cryptographic authentication. The flaw manifests as a runtime manipulation vulnerability that allows attackers to manipulate the application's execution flow by forcing specific methods to return boolean true values, effectively circumventing the intended security controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and insufficient security controls within the application's authentication logic. When users configure a passcode for their Dropbox account, the application should enforce strict validation of the entered credentials against the stored cryptographic hash. However, the flaw allows attackers to manipulate the application's runtime behavior through dynamic code modification or debugging techniques, specifically targeting the method responsible for passcode verification. This manipulation forces the authentication function to return true regardless of the actual passcode entered, creating a path for unauthorized access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to user data confidentiality and integrity, as it allows unauthorized individuals to gain access to sensitive information stored within Dropbox accounts. The impact extends beyond individual user accounts to potentially compromise business data, personal documents, and other valuable assets. The vulnerability's exploitation requires either physical access to a device or the ability to install malicious code that can manipulate the application's runtime behavior, making it particularly concerning in environments where device security cannot be guaranteed.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for the use of dynamic code injection. The vendor's assessment that this is not considered an attack of interest within their threat model highlights a critical gap in security assumptions, as the vulnerability remains exploitable on rooted devices or in environments where attackers have elevated privileges. This assessment fails to account for scenarios where users may inadvertently compromise their device security or where attackers may gain access through other attack vectors that ultimately lead to the exploitation of this runtime manipulation capability.
Effective mitigations for this vulnerability require both application-level and user-level controls. Application developers should implement robust input validation, employ anti-tampering mechanisms, and utilize runtime integrity checks to detect and prevent manipulation attempts. The implementation of code obfuscation techniques and dynamic integrity verification can help prevent attackers from easily manipulating method return values. Users should maintain device security through proper patch management, avoid rooting or jailbreaking devices, and employ additional security layers such as multi-factor authentication. Additionally, the application should implement proper error handling and logging mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts and alert security personnel to suspicious authentication activities.