On Android, command line tools or the Java file APIs can be used to enumerate file system contents. However, Linux file permissions and SELinux policies generally strongly restrict what can be accessed by apps (without taking advantage of a privilege escalation exploit). The contents of the external storage directory are generally visible, which could present concern if sensitive data is inappropriately stored there.
iOS's security architecture generally restricts the ability to perform file and directory discovery without use of escalated privileges.
| ID | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| S0529 | CarbonSteal |
CarbonSteal has searched device storage for various files, including .amr files (audio recordings) and superuser binaries.[1] |
| S0505 | Desert Scorpion |
Desert Scorpion can list files stored on external storage.[2] |
| S0550 | DoubleAgent |
DoubleAgent has searched for specific existing data directories, including the Gmail app, Dropbox app, Pictures, and thumbnails.[1] |
| S0577 | FrozenCell |
FrozenCell has searched for pdf, doc, docx, ppt, pptx, xls, and xlsx file types for exfiltration.[3] |
| S0535 | Golden Cup |
Golden Cup can collect a directory listing of external storage.[4] |
| S0551 | GoldenEagle |
GoldenEagle has looked for .doc, .txt, .gif, .apk, .jpg, .png, .mp3, and .db files on external storage.[1] |
| S0549 | SilkBean | |
| S0558 | Tiktok Pro |
Tiktok Pro can list all hidden files in the |
| G0112 | Windshift |
Windshift has included file enumeration in the malicious apps deployed as part of Operation BULL and Operation ROCK.[6] |
| ID | Mitigation | Description |
|---|---|---|
| M1006 | Use Recent OS Version |
Increase difficulty of escalating privileges, as security architecture improvements in each new version of Android and iOS make it more difficult to escalate privileges. Additionally, newer versions of Android have strengthened the sandboxing applied to applications, restricting their ability to enumerate file system contents. |