CVE-2025-45157 in Splashin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/18/2025
Insecure permissions in Splashin iOS v2.0 allow unauthorized attackers to access location data for specific users.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2025
CVE-2025-45157 represents a critical access control vulnerability within the Splashin iOS application version 2.0 that fundamentally undermines user privacy and data protection mechanisms. This vulnerability stems from inadequate permission controls that permit unauthorized actors to bypass normal authentication and authorization protocols to access sensitive location information. The flaw manifests in the application's failure to properly validate user permissions and implement robust access controls for location data, creating a pathway for malicious entities to exploit the system. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms, and falls under the broader category of privilege escalation vulnerabilities that can lead to unauthorized data access. The security implications extend beyond simple data exposure as location information can reveal detailed user behavior patterns, personal routines, and sensitive geographic data that can be leveraged for various malicious purposes including stalking, identity theft, or targeted attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning given the iOS platform's security model and the expectation that applications should maintain strict isolation between user data and unauthorized access vectors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly enforce data access controls at multiple layers of the software stack. Attackers can potentially exploit this weakness through various methods including but not limited to manipulating application state, exploiting session management flaws, or leveraging insufficient input validation in location data retrieval functions. The vulnerability may be present in the application's core data access modules where location information is stored, retrieved, or transmitted, indicating a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture. The lack of proper encryption for location data at rest and in transit, combined with weak access controls, creates a dangerous combination that can result in unauthorized data exposure. This vulnerability can be classified under ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol, where attackers exploit insecure data handling practices to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The implementation appears to lack proper authentication checks, session management, and data encryption mechanisms that are standard requirements for mobile applications handling sensitive user data.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-45157 extends far beyond immediate data exposure, creating long-term security risks for affected users and potentially enabling cascading attacks against other systems or services. Users whose location data has been compromised may face increased risk of targeted attacks, social engineering attempts, and privacy violations that can persist long after the initial exploitation. The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by threat actors at various skill levels. Organizations relying on the Splashin application may face regulatory compliance issues under data protection frameworks such as gdpr, ccpa, and other privacy legislation that mandate proper handling of location data and user privacy. The vulnerability creates a potential attack surface that could be exploited to gain further access to user accounts, personal information, or even connected devices. Security monitoring systems may not detect this vulnerability without specific behavioral analysis or anomaly detection mechanisms, as the access may appear legitimate to standard security controls. The impact is further exacerbated by the fact that location data can be correlated with other user activities and personal information to create detailed profiles of user behavior and preferences.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-45157 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging. The primary recommendation involves implementing proper access control mechanisms with strong authentication and authorization checks before any location data is accessed or transmitted. This includes implementing role-based access controls, proper session management, and ensuring that all data access requests are validated against user permissions and device authenticity. Organizations should implement comprehensive encryption for location data both at rest and in transit, utilizing industry-standard encryption protocols such as tls 1.3 and aes-256 encryption. The application should also implement proper input validation and sanitization to prevent manipulation of data access requests, along with comprehensive logging and monitoring of data access patterns to detect anomalous behavior. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in the application's architecture and codebase. Additionally, implementing zero-trust security principles where every access request is verified regardless of the user's location or previous authentication status can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. The fix should include proper error handling and the implementation of secure coding practices that prevent information disclosure through error messages or unexpected application behavior. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle location data breaches and ensure proper notification protocols are in place to inform affected users promptly.