Cybersecurity researchers at SafeBreach have identified significant security flaws in Google’s Quick Share file-sharing system, revealing that previous security patches implemented in 2023 failed to adequately address critical vulnerabilities. This discovery raises serious concerns about the safety of file transfers through this widely-used platform.
Understanding Quick Share and Its Security Implications
Quick Share, Google’s P2P file-sharing solution initially developed for Android and later expanded to Windows and Chrome platforms, leverages multiple data transfer protocols including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, WebRTC, and NFC. This broad protocol support, while providing convenience, has created an expanded attack surface that cybercriminals could potentially exploit.
Critical Vulnerability Assessment
Two major security vulnerabilities have been identified: CVE-2024-38271 with a CVSS score of 5.9 and CVE-2024-38272 with a more severe CVSS score of 7.1. These vulnerabilities expose users to man-in-the-middle attacks and potential remote code execution, presenting significant security risks for both personal and enterprise users.
Technical Analysis of Security Flaws
SafeBreach’s investigation revealed that Quick Share remains susceptible to DoS attacks through malformed UTF-8 continuation bytes. Additionally, researchers discovered a critical file-writing vulnerability that allows attackers to bypass security measures by sending multiple files with identical payload IDs within the same session, identified as CVE-2024-10668.
Exploitation Mechanics and Impact
The vulnerability exploitation involves sending two PayloadTransfer packets of type FILE containing different content but identical IDs. The system’s flawed security mechanism only removes the first transmitted file, leaving the second potentially malicious file intact on the victim’s device. This oversight creates a significant security gap that could be exploited for various malicious purposes.
Security Updates and Mitigation Strategies
Google has released an updated security patch in November 2024 to address these vulnerabilities. Users are strongly advised to update their Quick Share for Windows installations to version 1.0.2002.2. Organizations should implement strict security policies regarding file-sharing applications and ensure all systems are regularly updated with the latest security patches.
This security incident highlights the complex nature of file-sharing security and emphasizes the importance of comprehensive vulnerability testing. It serves as a reminder that security patches must be thoroughly validated before deployment, and organizations should maintain robust security protocols to protect against emerging threats in file-sharing systems. The cybersecurity community continues to monitor Quick Share for potential vulnerabilities, underscoring the ongoing need for vigilance in protecting user data and system integrity.
