CVE-2017-11136 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A flaw was identified in the heinekingmedia StashCat application for Android versions up to 1.7.5, Web versions up to 0.0.80w, and Desktop versions up to 0.0.86. The vulnerability allows unauthorized access to the transmitted secret key for symmetric encryption, potentially compromising communication security.

Understanding CVE-2017-11136

The vulnerability in the heinekingmedia StashCat application exposes the private RSA key and the decryption key, leading to unauthorized access to encrypted communication.

What is CVE-2017-11136?

The flaw in StashCat allows the private RSA key and decryption key to be accessed by individuals with backend database access, compromising the security of encrypted communication.

The Impact of CVE-2017-11136

The vulnerability enables attackers with backend database access to retrieve the secret key for symmetric encryption, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive communication data.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-11136

The technical aspects of the vulnerability in the heinekingmedia StashCat application.

Vulnerability Description

StashCat versions up to 1.7.5 for Android, up to 0.0.80w for Web, and up to 0.0.86 for Desktop are affected.
Private RSA key and decryption key are stored on the client and transmitted to the backend.
Decryption key is derived from the SHA-512 hash of the user's password, also stored on the backend.

Affected Systems and Versions

Android versions up to 1.7.5
Web versions up to 0.0.80w
Desktop versions up to 0.0.86

Exploitation Mechanism

Private RSA key and decryption key exposure due to storage and transmission to the backend.
Decryption key derived from user password hash stored on the backend.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2017-11136.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update StashCat application to the latest version that addresses the vulnerability.
Monitor backend database access for unauthorized activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure encryption practices that do not expose private keys.
Regularly review and update encryption mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by heinekingmedia to fix the vulnerability and enhance communication security.