CVE-2018-2500 in Mobile Secure Android Application
Summary
by MITRE
Under certain conditions SAP Mobile Secure Android client (before version 6.60.19942.0 SP28 1711) allows an attacker to access information which would otherwise be restricted.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2020
SAP Mobile Secure represents a comprehensive mobile device management solution designed to protect enterprise data through robust security controls and encryption mechanisms. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2500 affects the Android client component of this platform, specifically targeting versions prior to 6.60.19942.0 SP28 1711. This flaw manifests as an information disclosure vulnerability that undermines the intended access controls and data protection mechanisms implemented by the mobile security solution. The affected system operates under the assumption that proper authentication and authorization controls will prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information, yet this vulnerability creates a pathway for malicious actors to bypass these protections.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the Android client implementation. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain access to information that should remain restricted based on user permissions and security policies. The flaw likely involves improper handling of sensitive data or insufficient validation of access requests that would normally be rejected by the system's security framework. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE category of inadequate access control where the system fails to properly enforce access restrictions. The vulnerability creates a scenario where authenticated users or even unauthenticated attackers can potentially access data that should be protected by the mobile security platform's access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of organizations relying on SAP Mobile Secure for protecting sensitive corporate information. When attackers can access restricted information through this vulnerability, they gain the ability to extract confidential data, potentially including business intelligence, customer information, financial records, or proprietary intellectual property. The attack surface expands significantly as this vulnerability affects the mobile client component, meaning that compromised devices can serve as entry points for broader network infiltration. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations, reputational damage, and potential financial losses from data breaches that could be traced directly to this vulnerability. The issue particularly affects enterprises that depend heavily on mobile device management solutions for protecting their digital assets.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-2500 require immediate implementation of the vendor-provided security patches and updates. Organizations should prioritize upgrading their SAP Mobile Secure Android client installations to version 6.60.19942.0 SP28 1711 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the access control flaw. Security administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected devices and ensure proper patch deployment across the enterprise. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect any suspicious access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation and credential access tactics, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on mobile security solutions for data protection. Additional defensive measures include implementing network segmentation, strengthening authentication controls, and conducting regular security audits to ensure that mobile device management policies are properly enforced. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain detailed logs of access attempts for forensic analysis purposes.