What happened
VideoLAN VLC for Android prior to version 3.7.0 contains an authentication bypass in the Remote Access Server feature due to missing or insufficient rate limiting on one-time password (OTP) verification. The Remote Access Server uses a 4-digit OTP and does not enforce effective throttling or lockout within the OTP validity window, allowing an attacker with network reachability to the server to repeatedly attempt OTP verification until a valid user_session cookie is issued. Successful exploitation results in unauthorized access to the Remote Access interface, limited to media files explicitly shared by the VLC for Android user.
Affected versions
VLC for Android: before 3.7.0 (semver) Fixed: See vendor advisory.
Why it matters
Review the vendor advisory and exposure of the affected product to determine operational impact.
Detection & mitigation
- Apply vendor-provided updates or mitigations.
- Review affected product exposure and access logs.
Public PoC references
No public PoC reference has passed the current publication threshold.