CVE-2019-5955 in CREATE SD Official App
Summary
by MITRE
CREATE SD official App for Android version 1.0.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to bypass access restriction to lead a user to access an arbitrary website via vulnerable application and conduct phishing attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5955 affects the CREATE SD official App for Android versions 1.0.2 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the application's access control mechanisms. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and improper handling of external URI references within the mobile application framework. The vulnerability creates a pathway for remote attackers to manipulate the application's behavior and redirect users to malicious websites without proper authorization. The flaw exists in the application's intent handling mechanism, where external links are not properly sanitized or validated before being executed, allowing attackers to craft specially formatted URLs that exploit the application's trust model.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly validate URI schemes and parameters when processing external links. Attackers can leverage this weakness by constructing malicious URLs that appear legitimate but contain crafted parameters designed to bypass the application's access restrictions. When users click on these manipulated links within the application context, the app redirects them to attacker-controlled domains without proper security checks. This behavior aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and specifically relates to CWE-601, which addresses URL redirection vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insecure direct object reference where the application fails to validate that the requested resource is appropriate for the current user context.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-5955 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, creating significant risks for user security and data integrity. Mobile users who interact with the vulnerable application become susceptible to sophisticated phishing attacks where they are unknowingly redirected to malicious websites designed to harvest credentials, personal information, or financial data. The vulnerability enables attackers to conduct social engineering campaigns that appear legitimate since the redirection occurs within what users believe to be a trusted application environment. This attack vector particularly threatens users who may be accessing sensitive information through the application, as the phishing sites can be designed to mimic legitimate banking, healthcare, or corporate portals. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that many users trust official applications and may not recognize the malicious redirection until after they have entered sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate technical flaw and broader security architecture considerations. Application developers should implement strict URI validation and sanitization mechanisms that filter all external references before execution, ensuring that only trusted domains are permitted. The implementation should follow ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers phishing attacks, by incorporating robust link verification processes that prevent unauthorized redirections. Security measures should include the use of whitelisting for allowed domains, proper intent verification, and the implementation of secure coding practices that prevent the application from accepting untrusted external URI parameters. Organizations should also deploy mobile application security solutions that can monitor and detect anomalous redirection patterns, while user education programs should emphasize the importance of verifying website addresses even within trusted applications. Additionally, the application should implement proper session management and authentication controls that prevent unauthorized access even when external links are encountered. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in the application's architecture and ensure that access controls remain effective against evolving attack techniques.