CVE-2022-0131 in App
Summary
by MITRE • 01/17/2022
Jimoty App for Android versions prior to 3.7.42 uses a hard-coded API key for an external service. By exploiting this vulnerability, API key for an external service may be obtained by analyzing data in the app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-0131 affects the Jimoty App for Android versions prior to 3.7.42, representing a critical security flaw that stems from improper handling of authentication credentials within the mobile application. This issue manifests through the inclusion of a hard-coded API key directly within the application's source code or resources, creating an inherent security weakness that significantly undermines the application's defensive posture. The presence of such hard-coded credentials violates fundamental security principles and creates a persistent attack surface that remains exploitable across all versions prior to the patched release.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the static embedding of an API key within the application binary, which is typically stored in configuration files, source code repositories, or resource bundles. When developers hard-code API keys directly into mobile applications, they create a scenario where these credentials become publicly accessible through various reverse engineering techniques. Attackers can exploit this weakness by analyzing the application's data structures, examining network traffic, or performing static code analysis to extract the embedded credentials. The vulnerability specifically relates to CWE-798, which classifies the use of hard-coded credentials as a significant security risk, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 for credentials from password storage modules. This approach to credential management bypasses normal authentication mechanisms and provides attackers with direct access to the external service associated with the compromised API key.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-0131 extends beyond simple credential exposure, as the compromised API key can enable unauthorized access to backend services, data retrieval capabilities, and potentially allow for privilege escalation within the affected system. Depending on the permissions granted to the API key, attackers may be able to perform actions such as data exfiltration, service disruption, or unauthorized transactions through the compromised application. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the system, as the hard-coded key remains persistent across application updates and installations, creating a long-term security risk. Mobile applications that rely on external services for core functionality become particularly vulnerable when API keys are not properly secured, as the compromised credentials can be used to impersonate legitimate application users and potentially access sensitive data or services that the application was designed to protect.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to address the root cause of the hard-coded credential exposure. The primary remediation involves removing the hard-coded API key from the application source code and implementing proper credential management practices such as dynamic key retrieval, secure credential storage mechanisms, and regular key rotation protocols. Organizations should implement secure coding practices that align with industry standards including OWASP Mobile Top 10 recommendations for mobile application security. The solution requires developers to adopt secure key management approaches such as using environment variables, secure key stores, or implementing proper authentication flows that do not rely on static credentials within the application binary. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and prevent similar issues in future development cycles. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the application no longer contains any hard-coded credentials and that proper authentication mechanisms are in place to maintain the security posture of the system.