Facebook Pages Manager (Android / Google Play) on Jan 26, 2017

This application is available for Android. This app is designed to manage social page, advertisements, events in one place. The latest build was released on July 14, 2017.

Findings Summary

Our examination revealed total 45 items, where were 16 DAR items and 29 DIT items found. Among DAR items were found 0 worst items, 16 bad items, 0 good items, and 0 best items. Among DIT items were found 0 worst items, 0 bad items, 29 good items, and 0 best items.

Below you find 2 infographics summarizing what we described above. Each image provides information about both DAR and DIT items.

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Everything presented below is related to well-known CWEs, such as Sensitive data leakage [CWE-200], Unsafe sensitive data storage [CWE-312], Unsafe sensitive data transmission [CWE-319]. You can read more about it here.

Now let’s go deeper and examine each data item’s protection level.

Application Description

Let’s cite the description of this application below:

Pages Manager helps admins connect with their audience and keep up with activity on multiple Pages, all in one place.

Post updates and photos and respond to comments as your Pages

View and reply to private messages sent to your Pages

Option to get push notifications for new activity, tips and reminders

View your latest Page Insights

Now you can get early access to the next version of Facebook Pages Manager by becoming a beta tester. Learn how to sign up, give feedback and leave the program in our Help Center: http://fb.me/pages_beta

Protection levels.

Locally stored data (Data-at-Rest, DAR).

Locally stored data groups include Device Information, Application Information, Account Information, Blog Information, Log Information.
The average DAR value is 3.50 points (7.00 points of system protection and 0.00 points of own protection). It equals to a typical value (3.5 points, where’s 7 points of system protection and 0 points of own protection).

Items with average value 3.50 points (7 points of system protection, 0 points of own protection) means data protection levels have following definitions. Frankly talking, extra data found that shouldn’t be accessed where system protection level means – root/jailbreak is required but not possible without wiping device data, and own protection level means – stored as is.

– Environment (‘Device Information’ Group) – Different info about the environment of the device including apps lists, device info, OS name and versions, updates, a list of users, network details, etc. This data item related to mentioned group meant to be details about your device,

– Application Configs (‘Application Information’ Group) – Different configuration files created by your app, perhaps app permissions. This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any info related to the app, app settings, including installed apps or installers,

– Contact Short Profile (‘Account Information’ Group) – Name, Email ID, Phone number of contacts. This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any info related to profiles, basic credential IDs like email or username or phone number plus some more info depends on applications,

– Credentials (IDs) (‘Account Information’ Group) – Only account IDs like app or 3rd party user IDs including emails, phone number, usernames, etc. (depends on apps). This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any info related to profiles, basic credential IDs like email or username or phone number plus some more info depends on applications,

– Blog Data (‘Blog Information’ Group) – Some info about blog like name, found date and description. This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any info related to the blog,

– Contact Media (‘Application Information’ Group) – Full or reduced image of contact. This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any info related to the app, app settings, including installed apps or installers,

– Log Data (‘Application Information’ Group) – Logged any data as a solid file or multipart files. This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any info related to the app, app settings, including installed apps or installers,

– Media Stream (‘Log Information’ Group) – Any info like images, audios, videos, media notes, etc. This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any information stored in local or network logs,

– Stream Preview (‘Log Information’ Group) – Any social or another stream preview including part of post, image and publisher’s info. This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any information stored in local or network logs,

– Media URLs (‘Blog Information’ Group) – URLs related to media info such as stream media or profile’s media, etc. This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any info related to the blog,

– URLs (‘Blog Information’ Group) – Different types of URLs referred to your files stored in clouds, profiles, social accounts, media files available online, etc. This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any info related to the blog,

– Account Settings ‘n’ Configs (‘Blog Information’ Group) – Information about your account settings and configurations. This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any info related to the blog,

– Stream (‘Blog Information’ Group) – Any social or another stream activity including posts, walls, etc. This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any info related to the blog,

– Media Stream (‘Blog Information’ Group) – Any info like images, audios, videos, media notes, etc. This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any info related to the blog,

– Stream Settings (‘Blog Information’ Group) – Any settings related to stream data, such as a visibility of posts (content). This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any info related to the blog,

– Statistics (‘Blog Information’ Group) – Some data referred to your activity expressed as statistics (charts, pies, graphs, etc.). This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any info related to the blog

Keep in mind if you’re using some Android devices such Samsung, LG or another device with an unlocked or non-locked loader that allow to root your device without user action, the system level equals 6 points instead of 7. It means your data can be stolen without involving your actions.

Transferred data (Data-in-Transit, DIT).

Transferred data groups include Application Information, Log Information, Blog Information, Message Information, Events Information, Credentials Information, Device Information, Account Information.
The average DIT value is 5.00 points (6.00 points of system protection and 4.00 points of own protection). It is higher than a typical value (4 points, where’s 4 points of system protection and 4 points of own protection).

Items with average value 5.00 points (6 points of system protection, 4 points of own protection) means data protection levels have following definitions. Frankly talking, data is not available all the time or partially accessed where system protection level means – MITM prevented or fake certificate importing prevented, but plaintext non-protected traffic is intercepted, and own protection level means – bypassed by fake/stolen root certificates.

– Device Data (‘Application Information’ Group) – Device ID, Device Name, Device OS Name and Version, and jailbroken/root status. This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any info related to the app, app settings, including installed apps or installers,

– Account Settings ‘n’ Configs (‘Application Information’ Group) – Information about your account settings and configurations. This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any info related to the app, app settings, including installed apps or installers,

– Contact Short Profile (‘Application Information’ Group) – Name, Email ID, Phone number of contacts. This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any info related to the app, app settings, including installed apps or installers,

– Credentials (Passwords) (‘Application Information’ Group) – Well-known passwords or PINs you’re using to get access to your account (usually it is worse than tokens because it gives full access to your account). This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any info related to the app, app settings, including installed apps or installers,

– Stream Preview (‘Blog Information’ Group) – Any social or another stream preview including part of post, image and publisher’s info. This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any info related to the blog,

– Messages (‘Message Information’ Group) – Different types of messages, conversations, except for SMS, MMS but including recipient and sender IDs and attachments. This data item related to mentioned group meant to be all message, including SMS, MMS, social and IM messages with or without attachments,

– URL Preview (‘Message Information’ Group) – A preview of URL (usually not related to the Stream but typically related to the messages. This data item related to mentioned group meant to be all message, including SMS, MMS, social and IM messages with or without attachments,

– Calendar Events (‘Events Information’ Group) – Some info about calendar events like date and time and calendar body. This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any events with details about event,

– Address Data (‘Events Information’ Group) – Home, work or another type of owner address stored by apps. This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any events with details about event,

– Credentials (IDs) (‘Credentials Information’ Group) – Only account IDs like app or 3rd party user IDs including emails, phone number, usernames, etc. (depends on apps). This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any types of credentials including basic (IDs only), passwords, tokens, etc.,

– Credentials (Passwords) (‘Credentials Information’ Group) – Well-known passwords or PINs you’re using to get access to your account (usually it is worse than tokens because it gives full access to your account). This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any types of credentials including basic (IDs only), passwords, tokens, etc.,

– Credentials (Tokens) (‘Credentials Information’ Group) – Different tokens used to get access to your account, except for passwords but including app or 3rd party tokens, secret keys, etc. (usually give full access to your account). This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any types of credentials including basic (IDs only), passwords, tokens, etc.,

– Device Data (‘Device Information’ Group) – Device ID, Device Name, Device OS Name and Version, and jailbroken/root status. This data item related to mentioned group meant to be details about your device,

– Blog Data (‘Blog Information’ Group) – Some info about blog like name, found date and description. This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any info related to the blog,

– Blog Details (‘Blog Information’ Group) – Extended info about blog like settings, blog type (category) and etc. This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any info related to the blog,

– Media Stream (‘Blog Information’ Group) – Any info like images, audios, videos, media notes, etc. This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any info related to the blog,

– Access Permissions (‘Blog Information’ Group) – The list of permissions linked to access token used to get access to some features of service. This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any info related to the blog,

– Environment (‘Account Information’ Group) – Different info about the environment of the device including apps lists, device info, OS name and versions, updates, a list of users, network details, etc. This data item related to mentioned group meant to be any info related to profiles, basic credential IDs like email or username or phone number plus some more info depends on applications

Keep in mind if you’re using out-of-date Android < 7.0, the system level equals 4 points instead of 6. It means your data can be stolen with a crafted preinstalled certificate on the device or if someone makes you install a certificate. Also, if you’re using out-of-date Android < 5.0, the system level equals 2 points instead of 4. It means your data can be stolen without involving your actions.

Privacy Policy

Full application privacy policy is available here.

You may find privacy policy details proceeding the link above to compare developer’s vision on data protection with our results.

More than 50 million users in total use this application.

[Dev Statement #1]>>

According to the full data use policy

Date of Last Revision: September 29, 2016. As you review our policy, keep in mind that it applies to all Facebook brands, products and services that do not have a separate privacy policy or that link to this policy, which we call the “Facebook Services” or “Services.”

[PrivacyMeter comment #1]>>

The last update of Privacy Policy written by eFax Team is bound to the September 26th, 2016 and cover all services including mobile applications

[Dev Statement #2]>>

I. What kinds of information do we collect?

Depending on which Services you use, we collect different kinds of information from or about you.

Things you do and information you provide. We collect the content and other information you provide when you use our Services, including when you sign up for an account, create or share, and message or communicate with others. This can include information in or about the content you provide, such as the location of a photo or the date a file was created. We also collect information about how you use our Services, such as the types of content you view or engage with or the frequency and duration of your activities.

Things others do and information they provide. We also collect content and information that other people provide when they use our Services, including information about you, such as when they share a photo of you, send a message to you, or upload, sync or import your contact information.

Your networks and connections. We collect information about the people and groups you are connected to and how you interact with them, such as the people you communicate with the most or the groups you like to share with. We also collect contact information you provide if you upload, sync or import this information (such as an address book) from a device.

Information about payments. If you use our Services for purchases or financial transactions (like when you buy something on Facebook, make a purchase in a game, or make a donation), we collect information about the purchase or transaction. This includes your payment information, such as your credit or debit card number and other card information, and other account and authentication information, as well as billing, shipping and contact details.

Device information. We collect information from or about the computers, phones, or other devices where you install or access our Services, depending on the permissions you’ve granted. We may associate the information we collect from your different devices, which helps us provide consistent Services across your devices. Here are some examples of the information we collect:

Attributes such as the operating system, hardware version, device settings, file and software names and types, battery and signal strength, and device identifiers.

Device locations, including specific geographic locations, such as through GPS, Bluetooth, or WiFi signals.

Connection information such as the name of your mobile operator or ISP, browser type, language and time zone, mobile phone number and IP address.

Information from websites and apps that use our Services. We collect information when you visit or use third-party websites and apps that use our Services (like when they offer our Like button or Facebook Log In or use our measurement and advertising services). This includes information about the websites and apps you visit, your use of our Services on those websites and apps, as well as information the developer or publisher of the app or website provides to you or us.

Information from third-party partners. We receive information about you and your activities on and off Facebook from third-party partners, such as information from a partner when we jointly offer services or from an advertiser about your experiences or interactions with them.

Facebook companies. We receive information about you from companies that are owned or operated by Facebook, in accordance with their terms and policies. Learn more about these companies and their privacy policies.

[PrivacyMeter comment #2]>>

The Facebook Team collects the following types of information, doesn’t describe how it is protected. In the description below the ‘Group’ term means a place in the application where it was found, so there is a possibility that the same data item might be duplicated and found in one or more places at the same times with a different protected level too even.

For DIT (network) items that are part of activity related to the whole application and assigned to the Medium Protected Level

Environment related to the ‘Account Information’ Group)
Stream, Stream Preview, Blog Data, Blog Details, Media URLs, URLs, Account Settings ‘n’ Configs, Media Stream, Stream Settings, Statistics, Access Permissions related to the ‘Blog Information’ Group
Credentials (IDs), Credentials (Passwords), Credentials (Tokens) related to the ‘Credentials Information’ Group
Device Data related to the ‘Device Information’ Group
Calendar Events, Address Data related to the ‘Events Information’ Group
Messages, URL Preview related to the ‘Message Information’ Group
Account Settings ‘n’ Configs, Application Configs, Contact Media, Contact Short Profile, Credentials (Passwords), Device Data, Log Data related to the ‘Application Information’ Group
Media Stream, Stream Preview related to the ‘Log Information’ Group

Medium Protected Level means the application has SSL mechanisms implemented but data items can be intercepted with crafted and installed a certificate as trusted.

Also, the application can validate an SSL connection and detected crafted certificate, however, that security feature is limited to perform checks by comparing SSL certificate with a list of installed certificates on the device including certificates added by the user and marked as trusted. In this case, MITM is possible to intercept data items in traffic. All data items found in research are affected to MITM with installing crafted certificate. The crafted certificate can be either installed by the user or be already installed on the device and expired. The first case divides into parts when user knowingly installs the certificate or someone makes him install it by misleading into change to access to the network. ‘Making someone to install’ is divide to the simple case to get access to the public network or serious one like in Kazakhstan (Kazakhstan is going to start intercepting HTTPS traffic via “man-in-the-middle attack” starting Jan 1, 2016, Government root SSL certificate possible vulnerabilities, Bug 1232689 – Add Root Certification Authority of the Republic of Kazakhstan (root.gov.kz), Mozilla – CA Program (Included Government of Kazakhstan roots)). The second case divides into parts when the certificate is preinstalled and expired or was revoked but not removed, or when the user got the firmware with a specially crafted certificate.
If you have up-to-date Android, it means you have additional protection from the MITM attacks that prevent intercepting the network traffic if you have trusted certificated installed by yourself. If you have outdated Android below OS 7 version, you might have issues that decrease your system level of protection due to known problems with security mechanisms and leads to the MITM attacks with installed a crafted certificate as trusted on Android 5 and 6, and without installing a crafted certificate as trusted if it is outdated Android 4th version.

For DAR (local) items that are represented as data items stored on the device not accessible without root and include

Contact Short Profile, Credentials (IDs) related to the ‘Account Information’ Group
Application Configs related to the ‘Application Information’ Group
Blog Data related to the ‘Blog Information’ Group
Environment related to the ‘Device Information’ Group
Contact Media, Log Data related to the ‘Application Information’ Group
Media URLs, URLs, Account Settings ‘n’ Configs, Stream, Media Stream, Stream Settings, Statistics related to the ‘Blog Information’ Group
Media Stream, Stream Preview related to the ‘Log Information’ Group

The locally stored data requires a root to have an access to it and there are no known issues that might decrease the system level due to vulnerabilities for Android 4th – 7th.

[Statement #1 and comment #1]

[Solutions for Developers #1]>>
In general, the dev team should revise the policy and include information how the application data is protected, because this part is obviously missed.

[Solutions for users #1]>>
Nothing required

[Statement #2 and comment #2]

[Solutions for Developers #2]>>
The dev team should implement SSL Pinning in a way to trust only Instagram SSL certificate. The certificate is easiest to pin. It is possible to fetch the certificate out of the band for the website, use openssl s_client to retrieve the certificate, etc. At runtime, the application retrieves the website or server’s certificate in the callback. Within the callback, the application compares the retrieved certificate with the certificate embedded within the program. If the comparison fails, then fail the method or function.

The locally stored data should be protected and encrypted. Adding information what data is included in a backup help users make a security decision clearly.

[Solutions for users #2]>>

You may safely use this application including main activities if your device is not jailbroken, but avoid installing suspicious SSL certificates into your device if you are not sure where it comes from, avoid using this application in the non-trusted network and check your device for installed user CA SSL certificates that marked as trusted. Also, you may use VPN solutions to prevent MITM.

Keep in mind, that a backup is an additional insecurity flow even if you do not have a jailbroken device. Avoid to create a non-encrypted (non-protected by password) backup files, use a rooted device