CVE-2019-25605 Overview
CVE-2019-25605 is an insecure logging vulnerability affecting EquityPandit version 1.0, a mobile trading application. The vulnerability allows attackers to capture sensitive user credentials by accessing developer console logs via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). Specifically, attackers can use adb logcat to extract plaintext passwords that are logged during the forgot password function, resulting in the exposure of user account credentials.
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-612 (Improper Authorization of Index Containing Sensitive Information), highlighting a fundamental failure in secure logging practices where sensitive authentication data is written to system logs accessible to any process with ADB access.
Critical Impact
Attackers with physical or remote ADB access can extract plaintext user credentials from system logs, potentially leading to complete account compromise for affected users.
Affected Products
- EquityPandit 1.0 (Android Application)
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-03-22 - CVE CVE-2019-25605 published to NVD
- 2026-03-23 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2019-25605
Vulnerability Analysis
This insecure logging vulnerability exists within the EquityPandit Android application's password recovery functionality. When a user initiates the "forgot password" feature, the application improperly logs sensitive credential information to the Android system log (logcat) in plaintext format. This represents a significant security lapse in the application's handling of sensitive user data.
The vulnerability is particularly concerning because Android's logcat is accessible to any application with the READ_LOGS permission (on older Android versions) or via ADB connection. An attacker with either physical access to the device or remote ADB access can retrieve these credentials without requiring any special privileges within the application itself.
Root Cause
The root cause of this vulnerability is improper secure coding practices during development. The application developers left debug logging statements in production code that output sensitive user credentials in cleartext. This is a common anti-pattern where development-time debugging code is not properly removed or sanitized before production release. The forgot password functionality explicitly logs password data to the system console, violating fundamental principles of secure credential handling.
Attack Vector
The attack vector for CVE-2019-25605 requires network-level access or physical proximity to the target device. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability through the following methods:
Physical Access Attack: If an attacker gains physical access to an Android device with USB debugging enabled, they can connect via ADB and monitor logcat output while the victim uses the forgot password feature.
Remote ADB Attack: If ADB over network is enabled on the target device, an attacker on the same network can connect remotely and capture log output.
Malicious Application: On older Android versions (pre-4.1), any application with READ_LOGS permission could access these credentials from the system log.
The exploitation technique involves running the adb logcat command and filtering for log entries generated by the EquityPandit application during password recovery operations. The plaintext credentials appear directly in the log output, requiring no decryption or additional processing by the attacker.
For technical exploitation details, refer to the Exploit-DB #46933 entry.
Detection Methods for CVE-2019-25605
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected ADB connections to user devices, particularly from unknown IP addresses
- Unusual adb logcat command executions correlating with application usage
- Evidence of USB debugging being enabled on devices without user knowledge
- Network traffic indicating ADB over TCP/IP connections (default port 5555)
Detection Strategies
- Monitor for unauthorized ADB connections on enterprise-managed Android devices
- Implement mobile device management (MDM) policies to detect and alert on USB debugging status changes
- Review application logs for sensitive data exposure patterns during security audits
- Utilize mobile application security testing (MAST) tools to identify insecure logging practices
Monitoring Recommendations
- Deploy endpoint detection solutions capable of monitoring Android debug bridge activity
- Implement network monitoring to detect ADB traffic on non-standard networks
- Establish baseline logging behavior for critical applications and alert on anomalies
- Conduct regular security assessments of mobile applications handling sensitive credentials
How to Mitigate CVE-2019-25605
Immediate Actions Required
- Uninstall or discontinue use of EquityPandit version 1.0 until a patched version is available
- Disable USB debugging on all Android devices running the affected application
- Ensure ADB over network is disabled on all affected devices
- Reset passwords for any accounts that may have used the forgot password feature while USB debugging was enabled
- Review account activity for signs of unauthorized access
Patch Information
No vendor patch information is currently available in the NVD database for this vulnerability. Users should check the Google Play App Overview for potential updates or contact the application developer directly. Additional details may be found in the Vulncheck Advisory on EquityPandit.
Workarounds
- Disable USB debugging on Android devices to prevent ADB-based credential extraction
- Avoid using the forgot password functionality within the EquityPandit application until remediated
- Consider using alternative trading applications with verified secure logging practices
- Implement network-level controls to block ADB traffic on enterprise networks
- Enable two-factor authentication on associated financial accounts as an additional security layer
To disable USB debugging on Android devices, navigate to:
Settings → Developer Options → USB Debugging → Off
For enterprise environments, consider deploying MDM policies that enforce USB debugging restrictions across managed devices.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
