CVE-2026-4251 in CityChat
Summary
by MITRE • 03/16/2026
A vulnerability was determined in CityData CityChat up to 0.12.6 on Android. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file resources/assets/flutter_assets/assets/credentials.json of the component ai.citydata.citychat. Executing a manipulation can lead to unprotected storage of credentials. The attack requires local access. A high complexity level is associated with this attack. The exploitation appears to be difficult. The exploit has been publicly disclosed and may be utilized. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2026
This vulnerability exists within CityData CityChat version 0.12.6 and earlier on Android platforms where sensitive credential data is stored in an unprotected manner within the application's assets directory. The specific file affected is resources/assets/flutter_assets/assets/credentials.json which contains authentication information that should be properly secured. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of sensitive data storage mechanisms within the mobile application framework, creating a scenario where credentials are stored in plaintext without adequate encryption or access controls. This represents a critical security flaw that violates fundamental principles of secure data handling and storage practices.
The technical implementation flaw involves the application's failure to implement proper cryptographic protection for sensitive credential information stored in the assets folder. The credentials.json file appears to be accessible without encryption or obfuscation, making it vulnerable to extraction by malicious actors with local access to the device. This vulnerability falls under CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and demonstrates poor secure coding practices where sensitive data is stored in a manner that exposes it to unauthorized access. The attack vector requires local access to the device, meaning an attacker must already have compromised the user's device or have physical access to execute the exploitation successfully.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it exposes user authentication credentials to potential theft and misuse. Attackers with local access can extract these credentials and potentially use them to gain unauthorized access to services or accounts associated with the application. The high complexity level associated with exploitation indicates that while the vulnerability is difficult to exploit, it is not impossible, and the public disclosure increases the likelihood of successful attacks. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and data confidentiality, potentially enabling credential theft, account takeover, and unauthorized access to backend services that rely on these credentials.
Organizations and users should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest version of CityData CityChat where the vulnerability has been addressed, implementing mobile application security measures such as code obfuscation and secure credential storage, and conducting regular security assessments of mobile applications. The lack of vendor response to early disclosure attempts is concerning and highlights the importance of proactive security measures. Mitigation strategies should include implementing proper encryption for credential storage, using secure key management practices, and following mobile security best practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing runtime application protection mechanisms and regular security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure credential management in mobile applications and the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle.