CVE-2018-12240 : What You Need to Know

Norton Identity Safe versions earlier than 5.3.0.976 have a vulnerability that could lead to privilege escalation by exploiting a hardcoded IV, potentially allowing unauthorized access to encrypted data.

Understanding CVE-2018-12240

This CVE involves a privilege escalation vulnerability in Norton Identity Safe for Android.

What is CVE-2018-12240?

The vulnerability in Norton Identity Safe prior to version 5.3.0.976 could be exploited to escalate privileges by leveraging a hardcoded IV, increasing the risk of unauthorized access to encrypted data.

The Impact of CVE-2018-12240

The vulnerability could enable unauthorized individuals to recover encrypted data without the necessary credentials, compromising the security and confidentiality of sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-12240

This section provides detailed technical information about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Norton Identity Safe for Android, prior to version 5.3.0.976, allows for privilege escalation through a hardcoded IV, potentially facilitating unauthorized access to encrypted data.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Norton Identity Safe for Android
Vendor: Symantec Corporation
Versions Affected: Prior to 5.3.0.976

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by leveraging the hardcoded IV to escalate privileges, potentially enabling unauthorized individuals to recover encrypted data.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-12240 is crucial to maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Norton Identity Safe to version 5.3.0.976 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unauthorized access or unusual activities on the affected systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement strong encryption practices and access controls to safeguard sensitive data.

Patching and Updates

Symantec Corporation may release patches or updates to address the vulnerability; ensure timely installation to enhance system security.