CVE-2026-5224 in Cryptosim
Summary
by MITRE • 08/18/2026
Cleartext storage of sensitive information vulnerability in Kriptok Crypto and Information Technologies Industry Trade Inc. Cryptosim allows Retrieve Embedded Sensitive Data.
This issue affects Cryptosim: before 3.1.0.229.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2026
The identified security flaw within the Cryptosim application, specifically versions prior to 3.1.0.229 developed by Kriptok Crypto and Information Technologies Industry Trade Inc., constitutes a critical failure in data protection mechanisms known as cleartext storage of sensitive information. This vulnerability arises from the improper handling of confidential credentials or authentication tokens within the software's local environment, where such data is persisted without adequate encryption or obfuscation techniques. In modern application security architecture, sensitive artifacts including API keys, session tokens, passwords, and private cryptographic material must be stored using robust encryption standards that ensure confidentiality even if the underlying storage medium is compromised by an attacker with physical access to the device or file system. The absence of these protective measures means that any entity capable reading the local files associated with Cryptosim can directly extract this sensitive data in its original, unencrypted form.
From a technical perspective, this flaw aligns closely with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-312, which explicitly defines cleartext storage of sensitive information as a vulnerability where software stores sensitive data without encryption or other protective measures against unauthorized access. The operational impact of this weakness is severe in the context of cryptocurrency and financial technology applications, where trust and security are paramount. An attacker who gains local access to the device running Cryptosim can parse configuration files, preference databases, or cache directories to retrieve embedded credentials. This capability effectively bypasses authentication controls, allowing unauthorized entities to impersonate legitimate users, initiate fraudulent transactions, or exfiltrate private keys essential for managing digital assets. The risk is exacerbated by the fact that mobile and desktop applications often store such data in easily accessible locations on the file system rather than utilizing secure hardware-backed keystores or encrypted databases provided by the operating system.
This vulnerability also maps to specific tactics within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to Credential Access and Collection. By exploiting this flaw, an adversary can perform local credential harvesting without needing network-level access or complex exploitation techniques beyond basic file reading permissions. This simplifies the attack vector significantly, lowering the barrier for entry for opportunistic attackers who may scan devices for vulnerable applications. The presence of embedded sensitive data in cleartext also increases the blast radius if a device is lost or stolen, as it provides immediate value to malicious actors seeking financial gain through crypto theft or identity fraud.
To mitigate this vulnerability, developers must implement secure storage practices that align with industry best standards such as OWASP Mobile Security Testing Guide and NIST guidelines for cryptographic storage. This involves replacing plaintext file storage with encrypted databases using strong symmetric encryption algorithms like AES-256, ensuring keys are derived from user-provided passwords or stored in hardware security modules where available. Additionally, applications should minimize the amount of sensitive data persisted locally, opting instead to store only non-sensitive identifiers and retrieve credentials dynamically when needed through secure channels. For users currently operating versions prior to 3.1.0.229, it is imperative to upgrade immediately to a patched version that addresses this storage flaw. Until an update is applied, users should exercise extreme caution regarding device security, avoid storing sensitive financial data on devices running the vulnerable software, and consider clearing application caches or reinstalling the app if possible to remove any persisted cleartext artifacts until remediation occurs.