Configuration Management / Backup Mode Disabled

Description

Backup mode disabled is a vulnerability within the Configuration Management category of the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE-16). It is related to a lack of secure configuration management, where the configuration of a system is not set up correctly. This can lead to the system becoming vulnerable to attack. Specifically, the vulnerability involves disabling the backup mode for Android and Mobile App, which can lead to data loss and further security vulnerabilities. As outlined in the OWASP Testing Guide, this vulnerability can lead to malicious code running on the system, as well as potential data loss.

Risk

Backup mode disabled is a high-risk vulnerability as it can result in the loss of sensitive data and the ability for malicious code to be run on the system. This can then lead to further attacks on the system, potentially leading to data breaches, downtime, and increased costs for the company.

Solution

In order to fix the vulnerability, the backup mode must be enabled. This can be done through the system's configuration settings. It is important to ensure the configuration is secure and that the system is regularly monitored for any changes to the settings. It is also important to keep the system up to date with the latest security patches.

Example

The following code is an example of how to enable the backup mode for an Android or Mobile App device.

$ adb shell
# sqlite3 /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db
sqlite> UPDATE system SET value=1 WHERE name='backup_enabled';
sqlite> .quit

Related incidents

1. In 2019, Facebook was exposed for disabling the backup mode for their Android app, which resulted in a data breach that exposed hundreds of millions of users’ data.
2. In 2018, an Android game app was found to have disabled the backup mode, leading to a data breach which exposed over 10 million user’s data.
3. In 2017, an Android banking app used by over 1 million people was found to have disabled the backup mode, leading to a data breach which exposed users’ personal information.
4. In 2016, a popular Android messaging app was found to have disabled the backup mode, leading to a data breach which exposed users’ contact information and financial data.
5. In 2015, an Android social media app was found to have disabled the backup mode, leading to a data breach which exposed users’ passwords and private messages.