CVE-2018-25030 in Secure Private Browser
Summary
by MITRE • 03/28/2022
A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in Mirmay Secure Private Browser and File Manager up to 2.5. Affected is the Auto Lock. A race condition leads to a local authentication bypass. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-25030 represents a critical security flaw in Mirmay Secure Private Browser and File Manager version 2.5 and earlier. This issue resides within the application's Auto Lock functionality, which is designed to protect user data through authentication mechanisms. The race condition vulnerability creates a window of opportunity where unauthorized users can bypass the authentication process, effectively undermining the security model that the application is intended to provide. The flaw stems from improper synchronization of operations during the lock and unlock sequences, allowing malicious actors to exploit timing discrepancies in the authentication flow. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of race conditions as classified by CWE-362, which specifically addresses concurrent execution issues that can lead to security breaches. The disclosure of this exploit to the public community has elevated the threat level significantly, as it provides attackers with a documented method to compromise the security of affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the timing gap between when the application checks for authentication status and when it actually enforces the lock mechanism. During the Auto Lock process, the application fails to properly validate the authentication state before allowing access to protected resources. This race condition occurs when multiple threads or processes attempt to access the same resource simultaneously, with the application's security checks not being properly synchronized. Attackers can manipulate the timing of their actions to perform authentication bypass operations while the system is transitioning between locked and unlocked states. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication flow within the file manager component, where sensitive data and files are stored, making it particularly dangerous for users who rely on the application for confidential information protection. This flaw demonstrates poor implementation of concurrent control mechanisms, which is a fundamental security requirement for applications handling sensitive user data.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-25030 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to potentially compromise entire user data repositories. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability allows attackers to gain access to protected files and browsing data without proper authentication, potentially exposing personal information, financial records, or confidential documents stored within the application. The local nature of the attack means that it requires physical access to the device or network privileges, but the implications remain severe as it undermines the core security promise of the application. Users who depend on Mirmay Secure Private Browser for privacy protection face significant risks, particularly in environments where device security may be compromised or where unauthorized physical access is possible. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require advanced technical skills, making it accessible to a broad range of threat actors and increasing the potential attack surface. Organizations using this software for sensitive data handling or compliance purposes face regulatory and security implications that could result in data breaches and loss of user trust.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-25030 should prioritize immediate software updates from the vendor, as this represents a critical security flaw that requires code-level fixes. The recommended approach involves implementing proper synchronization mechanisms within the Auto Lock functionality to prevent race conditions from occurring during authentication transitions. Security patches should address the underlying concurrent execution issues by ensuring that authentication checks are properly serialized and that the lock mechanism cannot be bypassed through timing attacks. System administrators should consider disabling the Auto Lock feature until patches are applied, particularly in high-security environments where data protection is paramount. Additionally, users should be advised to monitor for vendor updates and security advisories related to this vulnerability. The implementation of proper input validation and state management within the application's security components aligns with security best practices and helps prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring and access controls to detect potential exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability could be used in targeted attacks against specific user populations. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the synchronization fixes do not introduce performance degradation or other unintended side effects in the application's normal operation.