CVE-2024-42027 in Mobile
Summary
by MITRE • 10/07/2024
The E2EE password entropy generated by Rocket.Chat Mobile prior to version 4.5.1 is insufficient, allowing attackers to crack it if they have the appropriate time and resources.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-42027 represents a critical weakness in the end-to-end encryption implementation of Rocket.Chat Mobile applications prior to version 4.5.1. This issue specifically targets the password entropy generation mechanism used for establishing secure communication channels between mobile devices. The flaw lies in the cryptographic implementation where the system fails to generate sufficiently random and complex passwords that would withstand modern brute force and dictionary attack methodologies. The insufficient entropy means that the generated passwords follow predictable patterns or contain easily guessable elements that significantly reduce their cryptographic strength.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability falls under the category of weak cryptographic key generation as classified by CWE-338, which addresses the use of pseudorandom number generators that are not cryptographically secure. The mobile application's inability to produce high-entropy passwords creates a pathway for attackers to systematically guess or compute the encryption keys used for securing communications. This weakness directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of end-to-end encrypted messages, potentially allowing unauthorized parties to intercept and decrypt sensitive information exchanged between users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security model that users expect from end-to-end encrypted messaging applications. Attackers with sufficient computational resources and time can exploit this weakness to perform offline dictionary attacks or rainbow table computations against the generated passwords. This creates a significant risk for organizations and individuals who rely on Rocket.Chat Mobile for secure communications, particularly in environments where sensitive data such as personal information, business secrets, or confidential communications are transmitted. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in threat models where attackers have the capability to monitor network traffic and capture encrypted communications for later analysis.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to upgrade to Rocket.Chat Mobile version 4.5.1 or later, which includes improved entropy generation mechanisms. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as multi-factor authentication and regular security audits of their mobile communication platforms. The remediation process should include re-encryption of previously stored data using stronger cryptographic methods and user education regarding the importance of strong password policies. Security teams should monitor for any signs of exploitation and consider implementing network-based detection measures to identify potential attacks targeting this specific weakness. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1583.001 which involves the development of tools and techniques for compromising systems, and represents a clear failure in the cryptographic implementation phase of software security development lifecycle processes.