CVE-2012-5813 in Android Pusher
Summary
by MITRE
The Android_Pusher library for Android does not verify that the server hostname matches a domain name in the subject s Common Name (CN) or subjectAltName field of the X.509 certificate, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof SSL servers via an arbitrary valid certificate.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5813 resides within the Android_Pusher library implementation for Android mobile platforms, representing a critical security flaw in the SSL/TLS certificate validation process. This issue stems from the library's failure to properly validate server certificates against the expected hostname, creating a significant attack vector for malicious actors seeking to compromise secure communications. The flaw directly impacts the fundamental security principle of certificate-based authentication that relies on domain name verification to prevent unauthorized server impersonation.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the library's improper implementation of hostname verification during SSL/TLS handshakes. According to the X.509 certificate standard, secure communication requires verification that the certificate's subject name matches the domain name being accessed. The Android_Pusher library bypasses this critical step by failing to check either the Common Name field or the Subject Alternative Name extension within the certificate. This omission allows attackers to generate valid certificates for any domain and successfully establish fraudulent secure connections, effectively nullifying the security benefits of SSL/TLS encryption. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation, and represents a classic case of insufficient certificate verification.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple communication interception, as it enables sophisticated man-in-the-middle attacks that can compromise sensitive data transmission across mobile applications. Attackers can exploit this weakness to intercept, modify, or steal user credentials, personal information, and financial data transmitted through applications using the vulnerable library. The attack surface is particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of Android mobile platforms and the prevalence of SSL/TLS usage in mobile applications for protecting user privacy and data integrity. This vulnerability essentially renders the SSL/TLS security layer ineffective for applications relying on the Android_Pusher library, making it a prime target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit mobile application security weaknesses.
Organizations and developers should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, beginning with the immediate replacement of the vulnerable Android_Pusher library with a properly implemented SSL/TLS library that adheres to industry security standards. The recommended approach involves upgrading to libraries that properly implement hostname verification according to RFC 2818 and RFC 6125 specifications, which mandate verification against both the Common Name and Subject Alternative Name fields. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of all mobile applications using this library and implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The mitigation strategy should also include mandatory code reviews and security testing for all mobile application components to prevent similar certificate validation issues from emerging in future implementations. This vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of proper cryptographic implementation and adherence to established security protocols in mobile application development.