CVE-2012-5815 in Rackspace
Summary
by MITRE
The Rackspace app 2.1.5 for iOS 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 • 02/23/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-5815 represents a critical flaw in the Rackspace app version 2.1.5 for iOS devices, specifically targeting the application's SSL certificate validation mechanism. This weakness stems from the application's failure to properly implement hostname verification during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant security gap that adversaries can exploit to conduct man-in-the-middle attacks against users of the mobile application.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's improper handling of X.509 certificates during secure communication establishment. Normally, secure SSL/TLS connections require strict hostname verification to ensure that the certificate presented by the server matches the domain name the client is attempting to connect to. This verification process should check both the Common Name field and the Subject Alternative Name extension within the certificate. The Rackspace app fails to perform this crucial validation step, allowing attackers to present any valid SSL certificate regardless of whether it corresponds to the intended server domain. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation" in security protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for users of the affected Rackspace mobile application. Attackers can exploit this weakness by intercepting network traffic between the iOS device and Rackspace's servers, presenting a fraudulent certificate that appears valid to the application. This allows malicious actors to eavesdrop on sensitive communications, potentially accessing user credentials, account information, and other confidential data transmitted through the application. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the fundamental security layer that protects user data in transit, making it a prime target for cybercriminals seeking to compromise user accounts and sensitive information.
The implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple data interception, as it undermines the entire trust model that secure communications rely upon. Users of the Rackspace app may unknowingly connect to malicious servers that appear legitimate due to the certificate validation failure. This creates a persistent security risk where user data remains vulnerable even after the initial connection attempt, as the application does not establish proper cryptographic trust boundaries. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1573.002, which covers "Encrypted Channel: Asymmetric Cryptography" where adversaries exploit weaknesses in cryptographic implementations to gain unauthorized access to communications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves implementing proper SSL certificate hostname verification within the application's networking stack, ensuring that all certificates presented by servers match the expected domain names through both Common Name and Subject Alternative Name fields. Security patches should be deployed immediately to update the application to a version that enforces proper certificate validation. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect potential man-in-the-middle attacks and establish proper certificate management practices to ensure that only valid certificates are used for legitimate services. Additionally, users should be educated about the importance of secure connections and the risks associated with connecting to untrusted networks while using mobile applications that handle sensitive data.