CVE-2021-26833 : Security Advisory and Response

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2021-26833, a vulnerability found in TimelyBills <= 1.7.0 for iOS and versions <= 1.21.115 for Android that allows attackers to obtain JWT tokens for user accounts through cleartext storage.

Understanding CVE-2021-26833

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability and its impact.

What is CVE-2021-26833?

CVE-2021-26833 relates to Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk in the TimelyBills app for iOS and Android. This flaw enables attackers to access JWT tokens, compromising user account security due to inadequate cache clearing mechanisms.

The Impact of CVE-2021-26833

With this vulnerability, threat actors can decode JWT tokens as they are signed and encoded, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive user data.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-26833

In this section, we explore the specifics of the vulnerability's description, affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The security flaw in TimelyBills allows local attackers to read user files and retrieve JWT tokens, potentially compromising user account data.

Affected Systems and Versions

TimelyBills <= 1.7.0 for iOS and versions <= 1.21.115 for Android are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with local access can exploit this vulnerability to extract JWT tokens and gain unauthorized access to user accounts.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-26833.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update the TimelyBills app to the latest version and avoid storing sensitive information on insecure devices.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing strong encryption methods and regular cache clearing practices can enhance user data security.

Patching and Updates

Developers should release patches that address this vulnerability promptly to safeguard user data.