CVE-2019-12911 in Shift
Summary
by MITRE
Redbrick Shift through 3.4.3 allows an attacker to extract authentication tokens of services (such as Gmail, Outlook, etc.) used in the application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-12911 represents a critical security flaw in Redbrick Shift versions through 3.4.3 that enables unauthorized extraction of authentication tokens for various online services including Gmail and Outlook. This vulnerability stems from inadequate token handling and storage mechanisms within the application's authentication framework, creating a pathway for attackers to access sensitive credential information. The flaw specifically affects the application's ability to securely manage and protect authentication tokens that users provide for connecting their accounts to the service.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability manifests as a weakness in the application's token management system where authentication credentials are not properly encrypted or isolated during storage and transmission phases. The flaw likely involves improper handling of session tokens or API keys that are generated when users connect their email accounts to the Redbrick Shift application. Attackers can exploit this weakness to intercept and extract these tokens from memory or storage locations where they are temporarily or permanently stored, allowing them to impersonate users and access their email accounts without proper authorization. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-312 (CWE-312: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-310 (CWE-310: Cryptographic Issues) categories, as it involves the insecure handling of authentication credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to users' email accounts and potentially compromise their entire digital identity. Once an attacker extracts these authentication tokens, they can access sensitive communications, personal data, and business information stored in the compromised email accounts. This creates a significant risk for organizations that rely on Redbrick Shift for their communication infrastructure, as the compromise of individual user accounts can lead to broader security incidents including data breaches, phishing attacks, and unauthorized access to corporate resources. The vulnerability also poses risks to users' privacy and can facilitate further attacks such as account takeover, data exfiltration, and social engineering campaigns that leverage the stolen credentials.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper cryptographic protection for all authentication tokens and credentials stored within the application. Organizations should immediately update to the latest version of Redbrick Shift where this vulnerability has been patched, as the vendor has likely addressed the underlying token handling issues through improved encryption mechanisms and secure storage practices. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual access patterns or unauthorized token usage attempts. Additionally, users should be educated about the importance of using strong authentication methods, enabling multi-factor authentication where available, and regularly reviewing their account access logs for suspicious activities. The remediation efforts should align with ATT&CK framework techniques such as T1566 (Phishing) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) by strengthening authentication controls and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential damage from such credential theft scenarios, ensuring that even if tokens are compromised, attackers cannot easily move laterally within the network infrastructure.