CVE-2013-3641 in Pizza Hut Japan Official Order application
Summary
by MITRE
The Pizza Hut Japan Official Order application before 1.1.1.a for Android does not verify X.509 certificates from SSL servers, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof servers and obtain sensitive information via a crafted certificate.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3641 affects the Pizza Hut Japan Official Order mobile application for android platforms prior to version 1.1.1.a. This represents a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communications protocols. The issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to compromise user data and system integrity.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's cryptographic implementation where it bypasses the standard certificate verification process that should occur during SSL handshakes. When an android application establishes a secure connection to a server, it typically validates the server's X.509 certificate against a trusted certificate authority to ensure the authenticity of the endpoint. In this case, the application fails to perform this crucial validation step, allowing attackers to present fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the application. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-295 which addresses improper certificate validation in security protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Attackers can execute man-in-the-middle attacks by intercepting communications between the mobile application and its backend servers, potentially gaining access to sensitive user information including personal details, order data, payment information, and other confidential communications. The vulnerability undermines the fundamental security assurances that SSL/TLS protocols are designed to provide, effectively rendering the encryption protection useless. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1046 Network Service Scanning and T1566 Phishing, as attackers can leverage this weakness to establish unauthorized communication channels with victims.
The implications extend beyond immediate data theft to include potential account takeovers, financial fraud, and reputational damage for the organization. Mobile applications that handle sensitive user data must implement robust certificate validation mechanisms to prevent such attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in mobile applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing during development cycles. Organizations should implement certificate pinning techniques, regularly update security libraries, and conduct thorough penetration testing to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in their mobile applications. The affected version of the Pizza Hut Japan application represents a failure to adhere to basic mobile security best practices and underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security protocols in all client-server communications.