CVE-2018-18362 in Password Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Norton Password Manager for Android (formerly Norton Identity Safe) may be susceptible to a cross site scripting (XSS) exploit, which is a type of issue that can enable attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. A cross-site scripting vulnerability may be used by attackers to potentially bypass access controls such as the same-origin policy.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18362 affects Norton Password Manager for Android, formerly known as Norton Identity Safe, presenting a significant security risk through cross site scripting flaws that could compromise user data and system integrity. This vulnerability resides within the mobile application's handling of web content and user interactions, creating potential entry points for malicious actors to exploit the application's security mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests as a cross site scripting vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious client-side scripts into web pages that users of the Norton Password Manager application may view. This type of vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it within web content, enabling attackers to execute unauthorized scripts in the context of the user's browser session. The vulnerability specifically impacts how the application processes and displays web-based content, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially access sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can potentially bypass critical access controls such as the same-origin policy that normally protect web applications from cross-site attacks. This means that attackers could potentially access stored passwords, personal information, and other sensitive data that the password manager is designed to protect. The vulnerability undermines the fundamental security model of the application by allowing malicious actors to execute code within the context of the user's session, potentially leading to credential theft, session hijacking, or other forms of unauthorized access to user accounts and stored information.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross site scripting flaws in web applications, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting through command-line interpreters. Organizations using Norton Password Manager for Android should consider immediate remediation measures including updating to patched versions, implementing additional security controls, and conducting thorough security assessments of their mobile application environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding in mobile applications, particularly those handling sensitive user data and credentials. Users should be advised to avoid interacting with untrusted content while using the application and to maintain awareness of potential phishing attempts that could exploit this vulnerability to further compromise their security posture.
This vulnerability represents a significant risk to enterprise security environments where password managers are commonly deployed, as it could potentially enable attackers to gain access to privileged accounts and sensitive organizational data. The remediation process should include not only updating the application but also implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and conducting user education regarding safe browsing practices and the recognition of potential XSS attack vectors.