CVE-2020-23038 in Swift File Transfer Mobile
Summary
by MITRE • 10/23/2021
Swift File Transfer Mobile v1.1.2 and below was discovered to contain an information disclosure vulnerability in the path parameter. This vulnerability is exploited via an error caused by including non-existent path environment variables.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-23038 affects Swift File Transfer Mobile version 1.1.2 and earlier, representing a critical information disclosure weakness within the application's handling of file paths. This flaw manifests when the mobile application processes a path parameter that references non-existent environment variables, creating an exploitable condition that can reveal sensitive system information. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling mechanisms within the file transfer functionality, where the application fails to properly sanitize or validate path parameters before processing them. When users attempt to access or transfer files using malformed path parameters that reference undefined environment variables, the application generates error messages that inadvertently expose internal system details including directory structures, file paths, and potentially sensitive environmental variables. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category for exposure of sensitive information and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 for file and directory discovery, as it enables adversaries to gain knowledge about the underlying file system structure. The security implications extend beyond simple information disclosure, as the revealed path information can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation attempts or targeted exploitation of specific file locations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the mobile application encounters a path parameter that contains references to environment variables which do not exist within the current execution context. During normal operation, the application should validate that all referenced paths and environment variables are accessible and properly defined before proceeding with file operations. However, in vulnerable versions, the error handling mechanism fails to properly isolate or sanitize these invalid references, causing the application to leak information through error messages or exception handling routines. The flaw is particularly concerning because mobile applications often have elevated privileges and access to sensitive data, making the exposure of internal path structures particularly dangerous. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious path parameters that reference non-existent environment variables, triggering the error condition that reveals internal system information. This information disclosure can include absolute paths to application directories, internal file structures, and potentially even system-level environment variables that may contain sensitive configuration details or credentials.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-23038 extends significantly beyond the immediate information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that can be used to plan more targeted attacks against the system. When combined with other reconnaissance techniques, the leaked path information can help attackers identify potential attack vectors, locate sensitive files, or understand the application's internal architecture. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where mobile file transfer applications often handle sensitive corporate data, and the exposure of internal file structures can reveal the presence of backup files, configuration data, or other sensitive resources. Mobile applications that process file paths frequently may also be vulnerable to additional attack vectors such as path traversal attacks or local file inclusion vulnerabilities, making this information disclosure a critical security concern. Organizations using affected versions of Swift File Transfer Mobile should consider the potential for cascading security impacts, as the leaked information can be used to bypass other security controls or to craft more sophisticated attacks against the application or underlying system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-23038 should focus on implementing robust input validation and error handling mechanisms within the mobile application. The primary recommendation involves updating to a patched version of Swift File Transfer Mobile that properly validates path parameters and sanitizes environment variable references before processing. Organizations should also implement proper error handling that does not expose internal system information to end users, ensuring that error messages are generic and do not contain path information or environmental details. Input validation should include checking for the existence of referenced environment variables and implementing proper fallback mechanisms when variables are not found. Additionally, application developers should consider implementing secure coding practices that align with OWASP mobile security project recommendations, particularly regarding proper error handling and input sanitization. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls or mobile application protection platforms can also provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other mobile applications and ensure that proper security controls are in place to prevent information disclosure through error conditions.