Cyber Risks · Unit 42 Palo Alto Networks

Insecure Internal Storage in Android

Summary: Palo Alto Networks researcher Claud Xiao presented at HITCON on using Android Debug Bridge backup and restore functions to reach data in Android's internal storage, a technique affecting 85.8% of active Android devices as of July 7. Of 12,351 Google Play apps with more than 500,000 installations, only 556 disable the backup system and 156 use a BackupAgent, leaving 94.2% with no restrictions on backing up internal storage data.

Key Takeaway: Most developers store credentials in internal storage without extra encryption and rely on the sandbox alone, so an attacker who clears the ADB hurdles - USB access, debugging enabled, screen lock bypass, and a simulated button press - walks away with usernames and passwords from the large majority of installed apps.

Read the original at Unit 42 Palo Alto Networks ↗

Topics
Data Breaches
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