CVE-2024-54014 in Skylark App
Summary
by MITRE • 12/05/2024
Improper authorization in handler for custom URL scheme issue in 'Skylark' App for Android 6.2.13 and earlier and 'Skylark' App for iOS 6.2.13 and earlier allows an attacker to lead the application to access an arbitrary web site via another application installed on the user's device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-54014 represents a critical authorization flaw within the Skylark mobile applications for both android and ios platforms affecting versions 6.2.13 and earlier. This issue stems from improper handling of custom URL schemes which are commonly used by applications to facilitate deep linking and inter-application communication. The vulnerability allows malicious actors to exploit the application's trust in custom URL handlers without proper validation of the originating source, creating a pathway for unauthorized web access.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs when the Skylark application fails to properly authenticate or validate the source of custom URL scheme requests. When a user has the Skylark application installed alongside other applications, an attacker can craft malicious URL schemes that trigger the Skylark app to navigate to arbitrary web resources. This misconfiguration creates an attack surface where third-party applications can manipulate the Skylark application's behavior through crafted URL requests, bypassing normal authorization checks that should prevent such cross-application access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability exposes users to several potential security risks including phishing attacks, malicious content delivery, and potential data exfiltration. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it could enable attackers to manipulate the application's navigation flow, potentially leading to session hijacking or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the legitimate inter-application communication mechanisms that users expect to be secure, making it harder to detect and prevent.
The flaw aligns with CWE-863, which describes improper authorization in software systems where the application fails to properly validate the identity or permissions of entities attempting to access resources. This weakness creates a direct pathway for privilege escalation through unauthorized resource access. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for application execution via URL schemes and T1566 for phishing through malicious links. The vulnerability also relates to T1071.004 for application layer protocols and T1190 for exploitation of remote services, as it enables attackers to manipulate application behavior through network-based triggers.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest versions of the Skylark applications where this vulnerability has been patched. The fix should include proper validation of URL scheme origins and implementation of strict authorization checks before executing any web navigation based on external URL requests. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of installing untrusted applications that might exploit this vulnerability. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual URL scheme activity patterns, and mobile device management solutions should be configured to restrict inter-application communication where possible. The implementation of secure coding practices including input validation and origin verification for URL scheme handlers should be mandatory for all future application development.