CVE-2023-48130 in mini-app on Line
Summary
by MITRE • 01/26/2024
An issue in GINZA CAFE mini-app on Line v13.6.1 allows attackers to send crafted malicious notifications via leakage of the channel access token.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-48130 represents a critical security flaw within the GINZA CAFE mini-app ecosystem operating on the Line messaging platform version 13.6.1. This issue stems from improper handling of channel access tokens which are essential credentials used for authenticating and authorizing applications within the Line platform's developer ecosystem. The flaw enables malicious actors to exploit a token leakage vulnerability that ultimately permits unauthorized notification injection attacks against unsuspecting users. The vulnerability exists within the application's communication protocols and authentication mechanisms, specifically in how the system manages and transmits access tokens during notification delivery processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a direct exposure of channel access tokens through insecure data transmission channels or improper token validation procedures within the mini-app's backend services. When the GINZA CAFE application processes user notifications, it fails to adequately secure or validate the access tokens used for authentication, creating a pathway for attackers to intercept or manipulate these credentials. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to leverage stolen or leaked access tokens to send arbitrary notifications to users who have interacted with the mini-app, bypassing normal authentication and authorization controls. This represents a classic case of insufficient credential management and token security practices that aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Data) and CWE-319 (Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Data) categories.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple notification spamming to encompass potential user privacy violations, social engineering attacks, and service disruption. Attackers could exploit this flaw to send phishing notifications, malware distribution alerts, or fraudulent business communications that appear legitimate to users. The compromised mini-app could become a vector for credential theft, as users might be prompted to interact with malicious notifications that appear to originate from a trusted business application. This vulnerability directly impacts the Line platform's security model and user trust, as it undermines the fundamental assumption that notifications from authenticated applications are legitimate. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the Line platform hosts numerous business applications and services that rely on secure notification delivery mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations should implement proper token rotation mechanisms and ensure that access tokens are never stored in cleartext or transmitted over unencrypted channels. The application should enforce strict token validation procedures and implement rate limiting for notification delivery to prevent abuse. Security controls should include mandatory use of secure communication protocols such as TLS 1.3 for all token transmission and storage operations. Additionally, the platform should implement comprehensive monitoring for unusual notification patterns and unauthorized token usage. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following ATT&CK framework principles for credential access and command and control phases, where attackers can escalate privileges through token manipulation. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar token leakage vulnerabilities across the application ecosystem, with particular attention to how third-party applications handle sensitive authentication credentials within messaging platforms.