CVE-2023-33188 in Omni-notes
Summary
by MITRE • 05/27/2023
Omni-notes is an open source note-taking application for Android. The Omni-notes Android app had an insufficient path validation vulnerability when displaying the details of a note received through an externally-provided intent. The paths of the note's attachments were not properly validated, allowing malicious or compromised applications in the same device to force Omni-notes to copy files from its internal storage to its external storage directory, where they would have become accessible to any component with permission to read the external storage. Updating to the newest version (6.2.7) of Omni-notes Android fixes this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2023-33188 affects Omni-notes, an open source note-taking application for Android devices, representing a critical security flaw in the application's handling of external intents and file path validation. This issue stems from insufficient validation of file paths when processing note details received through externally-provided intents, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the application's internal storage management mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets the application's attachment handling functionality, where paths are not properly validated before being processed, allowing for potentially harmful file operations to occur.
The technical flaw manifests when the Omni-notes application receives an intent containing note data with attachment paths from external sources. Without proper path validation, the application fails to verify that attachment paths originate from legitimate internal storage locations, enabling attackers to manipulate the intent data to reference files within the application's internal storage. This weakness allows for arbitrary file copying operations where malicious applications can force Omni-notes to transfer files from internal storage to external storage directories, bypassing normal access controls and security boundaries that typically protect internal application data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it creates a persistent security risk for users of the Omni-notes application, particularly on devices where multiple applications may be installed. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows any application with permission to read external storage to access files that were previously protected within the Omni-notes internal storage, potentially exposing sensitive user data including notes, attachments, and other personal information. The vulnerability creates a data leakage scenario where internal application data becomes accessible through the external storage interface, effectively weakening the application's data protection mechanisms.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal attacks, and relates to the broader category of insufficient input validation in mobile applications. The flaw also connects to ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as the exploitation may involve manipulating intent data to execute unauthorized file operations. The issue represents a classic case of inadequate sandboxing and access control implementation within Android applications, where the boundary between internal and external storage is not properly enforced during file handling operations.
The recommended mitigation for this vulnerability involves updating to Omni-notes version 6.2.7, which includes proper path validation mechanisms that prevent external intents from manipulating internal storage paths. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as reviewing application permissions, monitoring for unauthorized file operations, and ensuring that mobile device management policies include regular application updates. The fix demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in mobile application development, particularly when handling external data sources and file system operations.