CVE-2018-19981 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2018-19981, a vulnerability in Amazon AWS SDK for Android allowing attackers with root access to the filesystem to exploit plain text AWS STS Temporary Credentials.
Amazon AWS SDK for Android stores AWS STS Temporary Credentials in plain text using Android SharedPreferences, potentially allowing unauthorized access to authenticated requests.
Understanding CVE-2018-19981
This CVE entry highlights a vulnerability in the Amazon AWS SDK for Android that could be exploited by attackers with root access to the Android filesystem.
What is CVE-2018-19981?
The Android version of Amazon AWS SDK up to version 2.8.5 saves AWS STS Temporary Credentials in plain text using Android SharedPreferences. Attackers with root access to the Android filesystem can exploit this to create authenticated and/or authorized requests.
The Impact of CVE-2018-19981
The vulnerability allows attackers to access AWS STS Temporary Credentials stored as plain text, potentially leading to unauthorized access to AWS services and data.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-19981
This section provides more in-depth technical information about the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The Amazon AWS SDK for Android up to version 2.8.5 saves AWS STS Temporary Credentials in plain text using Android SharedPreferences, posing a security risk if the device's filesystem is compromised.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Not applicable
- Vendor: Not applicable
- Versions affected: Up to Amazon AWS SDK version 2.8.5
Exploitation Mechanism
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must have root access to the Android filesystem, indicating a compromised device with disabled or bypassed security mechanisms.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting against and addressing the CVE-2018-19981 vulnerability is crucial for maintaining the security of Android devices and AWS services.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update the Amazon AWS SDK for Android to a secure version that addresses the vulnerability.
- Implement strong device-level security measures to prevent unauthorized access to the Android filesystem.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly monitor and update the security configurations of Android devices to prevent vulnerabilities.
- Utilize secure storage mechanisms for sensitive credentials to avoid plaintext exposure.
Patching and Updates
- Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Amazon for the AWS SDK for Android.