CVE-2023-37511 in Traveler To Do
Summary
by MITRE • 08/11/2023
If certain App Transport Security (ATS) settings are set in a certain manner, insecure loading of web content can be achieved.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-37511 resides within Apple's App Transport Security framework, a critical security mechanism designed to enforce secure communication between applications and web services. This flaw emerges when developers configure ATS settings in a specific manner that inadvertently permits insecure loading of web content, creating a pathway for man-in-the-middle attacks and data interception. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, specifically targeting how iOS and macOS applications handle secure connections to remote servers and web resources. When ATS is improperly configured, it can be bypassed to allow connections to unencrypted http endpoints, even when the application's security policies mandate encrypted communications. This misconfiguration can occur through various means including improper plist configuration, incorrect use of ATS exceptions, or flawed implementation of security policies within the application's codebase. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic issues in applications, and specifically targets the improper implementation of security controls that should enforce secure communication channels. The flaw demonstrates how security mechanisms intended to protect applications can be subverted through configuration errors rather than inherent implementation flaws. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating the ATS settings to force applications to load content over insecure channels, potentially intercepting sensitive data or injecting malicious content into the communication stream.
The technical execution of this vulnerability requires understanding of Apple's ATS implementation details and how applications negotiate secure connections with remote servers. When ATS is configured with overly permissive settings, such as allowing arbitrary domains or disabling certificate validation for specific endpoints, applications become susceptible to attacks that would normally be prevented by secure communication protocols. The vulnerability manifests when applications attempt to load web content from domains that should be restricted but are allowed due to misconfigured ATS policies. This can result in applications loading resources over http instead of https, or connecting to servers with untrusted certificates. The operational impact extends beyond simple data interception to include potential code execution through malicious content injection, session hijacking, and credential theft. Applications that handle sensitive information such as financial data, personal identification, or corporate secrets become particularly vulnerable when this flaw is present. The vulnerability affects any application that relies on ATS for enforcing secure communications and demonstrates the critical importance of proper security configuration management. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to applications and their associated data, potentially compromising entire user sessions and sensitive business operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-37511 require comprehensive security configuration reviews and implementation of proper ATS policies that align with industry best practices and security standards. Organizations must ensure that ATS settings are configured to enforce secure connections while maintaining necessary functionality for legitimate business operations. The recommended approach involves implementing strict ATS policies that require all connections to use encrypted protocols and validate server certificates appropriately. Security teams should conduct regular audits of application configuration files and code to identify improper ATS implementations that could lead to this vulnerability. The implementation of security controls should follow NIST guidelines for secure application development and adhere to the principle of least privilege for network communications. Developers must be trained on proper ATS configuration practices and understand the implications of allowing insecure connections through exception mechanisms. Regular security testing including static code analysis and dynamic application security testing should be employed to identify misconfigurations that could lead to this vulnerability. The remediation process involves correcting ATS settings in application configuration files and ensuring that any exceptions are properly justified and limited in scope. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions that can detect unusual network behavior or attempts to establish insecure connections, providing early warning of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that security misconfigurations can be just as dangerous as implementation flaws and require continuous attention through proper security governance and configuration management processes.