CVE-2020-35137 in MobileIron
Summary
by MITRE • 03/30/2021
The MobileIron agents through 2021-03-22 for Android and iOS contain a hardcoded API key, used to communicate with the MobileIron SaaS discovery API, as demonstrated by Mobile@Work (aka com.mobileiron). The key is in com/mobileiron/registration/RegisterActivity.java and can be used for api/v1/gateway/customers/servers requests.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-35137 represents a critical security flaw in MobileIron agents for mobile devices, specifically affecting versions through March 2021. This issue manifests through the presence of a hardcoded Application Programming Interface key within the mobile agent codebase, creating an inherent weakness that compromises the security posture of mobile device management implementations. The vulnerability is embedded within the Mobile@Work application, which serves as the primary interface for MobileIron's mobile device management capabilities on both android and ios platforms. The hardcoded key exists within the RegisterActivity.java source file, specifically within the com.mobileiron.registration package structure, making it directly exploitable by malicious actors who can obtain the source code or reverse engineer the application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from poor secure coding practices where cryptographic keys are embedded directly into application source code rather than being dynamically retrieved from secure external sources or managed through proper key management systems. This hardcoded API key serves as a credential for authenticating requests to MobileIron's Software-as-a-Service discovery API, specifically targeting the api/v1/gateway/customers/servers endpoint. The flaw falls under CWE-798, which addresses the use of hardcoded credentials, and represents a direct violation of security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 controls for secure coding and credential management. The presence of this key within the client-side application means that any attacker who can access the application binary or decompile the mobile application can immediately obtain the API key and leverage it for unauthorized access to the MobileIron discovery API.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it provides attackers with the ability to enumerate and potentially manipulate server configurations within MobileIron's SaaS environment. This capability enables threat actors to discover active servers, understand the infrastructure topology, and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive customer data or system controls. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active throughout the lifecycle of affected mobile agents, as the hardcoded key cannot be easily rotated or updated without releasing new application versions. Attackers can use this access to perform reconnaissance activities, map network infrastructure, and potentially escalate privileges within the MobileIron management environment. The flaw also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which involves the exploitation of credentials in stored files, and T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol usage for command and control communications.
Organizations utilizing MobileIron solutions face significant risk from this vulnerability, particularly those with extensive mobile device management deployments where the hardcoded API key could provide attackers with unauthorized access to critical infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in mobile application security practices and highlights the importance of implementing secure coding standards throughout the development lifecycle. Security teams should immediately identify all affected MobileIron agents and implement remediation measures including patching to the latest versions where the hardcoded key has been removed and replaced with proper dynamic credential management. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their mobile application portfolios to identify similar hardcoded credential issues and implement automated scanning processes to detect such vulnerabilities during development cycles. The remediation process should include proper key rotation procedures, implementation of secure credential storage mechanisms, and enforcement of security policies that prevent the inclusion of hardcoded secrets in mobile application binaries.