CVE-2023-29746 in The Thaiger App
Summary
by MITRE • 06/02/2023
An issue found in The Thaiger v.1.2 for Android allows unauthorized apps to cause a code execution attack by manipulating the SharedPreference files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-29746 resides within The Thaiger application version 1.2 for Android platforms, representing a critical security flaw that enables unauthorized third-party applications to execute arbitrary code through manipulation of SharedPreference files. This vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and improper validation mechanisms within the application's data storage architecture, creating an attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain elevated privileges and execute malicious payloads. The flaw specifically targets the application's use of Android's SharedPreferences mechanism, which serves as a lightweight storage solution for key-value pairs typically used to store application settings and user preferences. When applications fail to properly secure these preference files, they inadvertently expose sensitive configuration data and operational parameters that can be manipulated by malicious actors. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, as it demonstrates inadequate permissions management for critical application data storage components. Attackers can leverage this weakness to inject malicious code or modify application behavior by altering the SharedPreferences files, potentially leading to complete application compromise or unauthorized data access. The operational impact extends beyond simple code execution, as this vulnerability can enable persistent backdoor access, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the compromised application environment. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it allows adversaries to execute code with the privileges of the affected application. The threat landscape for this vulnerability is particularly concerning given that SharedPreferences files are commonly used throughout Android applications for storing sensitive information, making this attack vector applicable to numerous mobile applications that improperly secure their data storage mechanisms. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be achieved through standard Android application manipulation techniques, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple applications share the same device and execution context.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2023-29746 occurs when unauthorized applications gain access to the target application's SharedPreferences files through improper file permissions or lack of proper access controls. Android applications typically store SharedPreferences in private directories with restricted access, but when these permissions are incorrectly configured or when applications fail to implement proper security measures, malicious applications can read, modify, or even delete these files. The vulnerability specifically targets the application's default SharedPreference file location within the application's private storage area, where the Thaiger application stores critical operational parameters and configuration data. Attackers can manipulate these files to inject malicious code fragments or alter application behavior by modifying stored preferences that control application flow, authentication mechanisms, or data processing routines. The flaw represents a classic case of inadequate input validation and insufficient access control enforcement, where the application fails to verify the integrity of its own data storage mechanisms. When the vulnerable application subsequently reads these manipulated SharedPreferences files, it executes code or follows altered execution paths that were not intended by the legitimate application developers. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of insecure data storage, which is commonly exploited in mobile application attacks due to the frequent use of local storage mechanisms for application functionality. The vulnerability's exploitation typically involves establishing a malicious application that can access the target application's data directory and modify the SharedPreferences files, potentially leading to a complete compromise of the application's operational integrity.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-29746 extends far beyond simple unauthorized code execution, creating a significant risk to application security, user privacy, and overall system integrity within the Android ecosystem. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability can enable attackers to gain persistent access to the compromised application's functionality, potentially allowing for long-term surveillance, data theft, or further exploitation of the device. The vulnerability's implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where mobile applications often handle sensitive corporate data, as the compromise of a single application can potentially lead to broader security breaches. The attack vector demonstrates a fundamental flaw in mobile application security practices, where developers assume that private application storage is automatically secure without implementing proper access controls or data integrity checks. This vulnerability can facilitate various attack scenarios including credential theft, session hijacking, and unauthorized data manipulation, as the compromised application may be storing authentication tokens, user preferences, or other sensitive operational data within its SharedPreferences files. The threat model for this vulnerability includes both malicious application developers and sophisticated attackers who can leverage the weakness to create persistent backdoors within the affected application, potentially enabling them to monitor user activities or extract sensitive information over extended periods. The vulnerability's exploitation can also enable attackers to manipulate application behavior to redirect network traffic, modify security settings, or disable protective mechanisms that were intended to safeguard user data and system integrity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-29746 require immediate implementation of proper access controls and data integrity measures within the Thaiger application and similar mobile applications that utilize SharedPreferences for critical operations. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing proper file permission controls that restrict access to SharedPreferences files to only the legitimate application components, ensuring that no other applications can read or modify these critical data storage elements. Developers should implement proper encryption mechanisms for sensitive data stored in SharedPreferences, using Android's built-in encryption capabilities or implementing custom encryption schemes to protect against unauthorized access. The application should also implement integrity checks that validate the contents of SharedPreferences files upon application startup, detecting any unauthorized modifications that may indicate an exploitation attempt. Security best practices recommend using Android's Context.MODE_PRIVATE flag consistently when creating SharedPreferences files and implementing additional verification mechanisms to ensure data integrity. Organizations should consider implementing mobile application security solutions that can monitor for unauthorized access attempts to application data storage components, providing real-time detection of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and conducting regular security assessments of mobile applications, particularly focusing on data storage mechanisms and access control implementations. Additionally, application developers should consider implementing runtime integrity checks that continuously monitor SharedPreferences files for unauthorized modifications, providing early detection capabilities for potential exploitation attempts. The mitigation approach should also include regular security updates and patches to address any identified weaknesses in the application's data handling and storage mechanisms, ensuring that the security posture remains strong against evolving threat landscapes.