CVE-2018-12481 in Olive Tree Ftp Server App
Summary
by MITRE
The Olive Tree Ftp Server application 1.32 for Android has a "Sensitive Data on the Clipboard" vulnerability, as demonstrated by reading the "User password" field with the Drozer post.capture.clipboard module.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12481 affects the Olive Tree Ftp Server application version 1.32 on Android platforms, representing a critical security flaw that exposes sensitive user information through improper data handling practices. This vulnerability falls under the category of improper data exposure and specifically manifests as a sensitive data leakage through the device's clipboard functionality, which violates fundamental security principles of data protection and access control. The issue stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize or secure sensitive information before allowing it to be copied to the system clipboard, creating an attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to gain unauthorized access to user credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the FTP server application processes user authentication data, particularly password fields, and inadvertently stores this sensitive information in the system clipboard during normal operation. When the Drozer post.capture.clipboard module is executed against the vulnerable application, it demonstrates that the password field content becomes accessible to other applications running on the same device through the clipboard interface. This flaw represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and data minimization, as the application should never expose sensitive authentication credentials to the clipboard in an unencrypted and unprotected format. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer and leverages Android's built-in clipboard functionality without proper security controls or data sanitization measures.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for users who store their FTP server credentials within the application, as attackers can exploit this weakness to capture passwords without requiring direct access to the application's internal memory or database. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft, as compromised FTP passwords can lead to unauthorized access to file systems, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments where the FTP server is deployed. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor, and specifically relates to CWE-312, which deals with the exposure of sensitive data through improper data handling. The attack surface is particularly broad as it can be exploited by any application that has clipboard access permissions, making it a persistent threat in environments where multiple applications interact with the system clipboard.
The security implications of this vulnerability extend to the broader Android security model and highlight the importance of proper input validation and data sanitization practices in mobile application development. Organizations using the Olive Tree Ftp Server application should consider implementing additional security controls such as clipboard monitoring and access restrictions, while developers should adopt secure coding practices that prevent sensitive data from being stored in system buffers. Mitigation strategies should include immediate application updates to remove clipboard exposure of sensitive data, implementation of secure credential handling mechanisms, and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in mobile applications. This vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of following ATT&CK framework techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation, as it provides a pathway for attackers to obtain authentication credentials through indirect means that bypass traditional security controls. The remediation process should involve comprehensive code review to ensure that no other sensitive data fields are inadvertently exposed through similar mechanisms, and that proper data sanitization protocols are implemented across all application components that handle user authentication information.