CVE-2023-46919 in Simple HTTP Server
Summary
by MITRE • 12/27/2023
Phlox com.phlox.simpleserver (aka Simple HTTP Server) 1.8 and com.phlox.simpleserver.plus (aka Simple HTTP Server PLUS) 1.8.1-plus have a hardcoded aKySWb2jjrr4dzkYXczKRt7K encryption key. The threat is from a man-in-the-middle attacker who can intercept and potentially modify data during transmission.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-46919 affects Phlox Simple HTTP Server and its plus variant, specifically versions 1.8 and 1.8.1-plus respectively. This represents a critical security flaw that stems from the improper implementation of cryptographic security measures within the mobile application. The vulnerability manifests through the inclusion of a hardcoded encryption key within the application binary, which violates fundamental security principles and creates a significant attack surface for malicious actors. The presence of such a hardcoded key indicates a severe design flaw in the application's security architecture, as it eliminates the possibility of dynamic key generation or secure key management practices that are essential for maintaining data confidentiality and integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the static embedding of what appears to be a 32-character encryption key within the application code itself. This hardcoded key serves as the primary encryption mechanism for data transmission within the application, making it susceptible to extraction through reverse engineering or static analysis techniques. Attackers who obtain this key can perform man-in-the-middle attacks by intercepting network traffic and decrypting sensitive information that would otherwise remain protected. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-327, which addresses the use of a broken or weak cryptographic algorithm, and more specifically to CWE-321, which deals with the use of hard-coded cryptographic keys. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires minimal technical expertise to exploit, making it accessible to a broad range of threat actors who can leverage this weakness to compromise data integrity and confidentiality.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates severe consequences for any data transmitted through the affected applications, as it fundamentally undermines the security assurances that users expect from secure communication channels. The man-in-the-middle attack capability allows adversaries to not only intercept data but potentially modify it during transit, leading to potential data corruption, unauthorized access to sensitive information, or complete compromise of user communications. The implications extend beyond simple data exposure, as the vulnerability affects all users of these specific application versions and creates a persistent threat that remains active until the software is updated or the application is uninstalled. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where sensitive information is transmitted over untrusted networks, as it provides attackers with a direct path to compromise the confidentiality of communications.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves updating to patched versions of the applications, which should implement proper key management practices and eliminate the hardcoded encryption keys. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish secure communication protocols that do not rely on the vulnerable applications. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other applications or systems that might be similarly affected by hardcoded cryptographic elements. The remediation process should include thorough code reviews to ensure that no other hardcoded secrets exist within the application, and implementation of secure key management practices that align with industry standards such as those defined in NIST SP 800-57 for cryptographic key management. This vulnerability serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proper cryptographic implementation and the dangers of relying on static keys for security purposes, highlighting the need for robust security practices throughout the software development lifecycle.