CVE-2019-5627 in BlueCats Reveal
Summary
by MITRE
The iOS mobile application BlueCats Reveal before 5.14 stores the username and password in the app cache as base64 encoded strings, i.e. clear text. These persist in the cache even if the user logs out. This can allow an attacker to compromise the affected BlueCats network implementation. The attacker would first need to gain physical control of the iOS device or compromise it with a malicious app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5627 represents a critical security flaw in the BlueCats Reveal iOS application version 5.13 and earlier, where sensitive authentication credentials are improperly stored in the application cache. This weakness stems from the application's failure to implement proper credential management practices, storing user authentication data in a manner that exposes it to unauthorized access. The vulnerability specifically affects mobile application security by creating a persistent exposure of user credentials even after normal logout procedures, fundamentally undermining the security model of the application.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the application's storage mechanism where both username and password information are cached using base64 encoding, a process that provides no actual cryptographic protection but merely obfuscates the data. This approach violates fundamental security principles as base64 encoding is easily reversible and does not constitute encryption, leaving credentials in a state where they can be directly extracted by any entity with access to the application cache. The persistence of these credentials in the cache even after user logout operations indicates a failure in the application's session management and memory cleanup processes, creating a lasting security risk.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to compromise entire BlueCats network implementations when they gain physical control of iOS devices or successfully install malicious applications on compromised devices. This represents a significant risk to organizations relying on BlueCats proximity services, as the stolen credentials could provide unauthorized access to network infrastructure, potentially enabling man-in-the-middle attacks, network reconnaissance, and further lateral movement within the affected environment. The vulnerability's exploitation requires initial compromise of the device or installation of malicious software, aligning with attack patterns documented in the attack tree framework.
From a security standards perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-522 (Insufficiently Protected Credentials), both of which address the improper handling of authentication data. The flaw also demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 (Credentials in Files) as it involves credential exposure through file-based storage mechanisms. The persistence of credentials in application cache storage violates security best practices established in mobile application security frameworks, particularly those addressing secure credential storage and session management. Organizations implementing BlueCats solutions must consider this vulnerability as part of their overall security posture assessment, particularly in environments where physical security controls may be insufficient.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to BlueCats Reveal version 5.14 or later, which addresses the credential storage issue through proper encryption and secure storage mechanisms. Additionally, organizations should implement device management policies that enforce secure configuration of iOS devices, including regular security assessments and monitoring for unauthorized applications. Network segmentation and additional authentication layers should be deployed to reduce the impact of credential compromise, while user awareness training should emphasize the importance of device security and the risks associated with physical device loss or compromise.