CVE-2024-35118 in MaaS360
Summary
by MITRE • 08/29/2024
IBM MaaS360 for Android 6.31 through 8.60 is using hard coded credentials that can be obtained by a user with physical access to the device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2024
IBM MaaS360 for Android versions 6.31 through 8.60 contain a critical security flaw involving hard coded credentials that can be accessed by any user with physical possession of the device. This vulnerability represents a fundamental failure in secure credential management practices and exposes organizations to significant risk of unauthorized access. The hard coded credentials are embedded within the application binaries or configuration files in a manner that cannot be easily modified or removed, creating a persistent security weakness that persists across device usage cycles and updates. This flaw directly violates security best practices outlined in the OWASP Mobile Top 10 and aligns with CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard coded credentials in software applications. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no network connectivity or specialized exploitation techniques, making it accessible to any individual who gains physical access to a compromised device. The attack surface is broad as it affects all users of the specified MaaS360 versions, regardless of their security awareness or technical expertise. The operational impact extends beyond simple credential theft, as these hard coded credentials may provide access to enterprise management systems, device configuration data, and potentially sensitive organizational information. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can establish persistent access points within enterprise environments, enabling them to monitor device activities, extract data, or manipulate device configurations without requiring additional authentication. This weakness creates a pathway for both insider threats and external attackers who acquire physical devices through theft, loss, or unauthorized access scenarios. The vulnerability also impacts the principle of least privilege as it provides elevated access rights through embedded credentials that bypass normal authentication mechanisms. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1213.002 for credential access and T1021.001 for remote services, as it enables unauthorized access to enterprise management systems through embedded credentials. Organizations should immediately implement patch management protocols to upgrade to versions of MaaS360 that address this hard coding issue, while also establishing device encryption policies and physical security controls. Additional mitigations include implementing mobile device management policies that enforce strong authentication, monitoring for unauthorized device access attempts, and conducting regular security assessments of mobile applications. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper secure coding practices and emphasizes the need for comprehensive security testing of mobile applications before deployment. Organizations must also consider implementing device-level encryption, secure boot processes, and regular security audits to prevent similar issues in other enterprise mobile applications. This flaw demonstrates the critical importance of avoiding hardcoded secrets in mobile applications and highlights the need for robust key management solutions that can dynamically provision credentials without embedding them in application code. The incident serves as a reminder that mobile security requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both network-based and physical access threats.