CVE-2014-4905 in Clean Internet
Summary
by MITRE
The Clean Internet Browser (aka com.cleantab.browsesecure) application 1.36 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 • 08/23/2024
The Clean Internet Browser application version 1.36 for Android presents a critical security vulnerability that fundamentally undermines the integrity of secure communications. This flaw resides in the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a dangerous pathway for malicious actors to intercept and manipulate encrypted data transmissions. The vulnerability specifically affects the certificate verification process that should normally validate the authenticity of server certificates against trusted certificate authorities. When an application neglects this crucial step, it opens the door for attackers to present fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the user's device, thereby compromising the entire security infrastructure designed to protect sensitive information exchanges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's inadequate SSL certificate validation mechanism, which operates outside the established security protocols that govern secure mobile communications. This flaw represents a direct violation of standard security practices for mobile applications handling sensitive data, as it fails to perform the essential certificate chain validation that should occur during SSL handshakes. The absence of proper certificate verification means that the application accepts any certificate presented by a server without confirming its legitimacy through cryptographic signatures, trusted root certificates, or proper certificate authority validation. This weakness places the application squarely within the category of insecure cryptographic implementations that enable passive and active attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data interception, as it creates opportunities for comprehensive man-in-the-middle attacks that can compromise user privacy and data integrity. Attackers can exploit this weakness to establish fraudulent SSL connections with victims, effectively becoming transparent intermediaries in communications between users and legitimate servers. This capability allows threat actors to capture sensitive information including login credentials, personal data, financial transactions, and other confidential communications that users expect to be protected through SSL/TLS encryption. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe given that it affects a browser application, which typically handles the most sensitive user interactions including banking, email, and social media communications where data confidentiality is paramount.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of improper certificate validation, which aligns with common weakness enumerations such as CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation." The attack vector described in the vulnerability maps directly to techniques found in the attack tactics and techniques framework under the MITRE ATT&CK methodology, particularly within the credential access and defense evasion domains. This vulnerability demonstrates how mobile applications can be compromised through cryptographic weaknesses that bypass fundamental security controls, making it a prime target for advanced persistent threat actors and cybercriminals seeking to exploit mobile device security gaps.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from both application developers and end users. Application developers must implement robust certificate validation mechanisms that properly verify certificate chains, check certificate expiration dates, and validate certificate signatures against trusted certificate authorities. The implementation should follow established security standards including proper SSL/TLS configuration, certificate pinning where appropriate, and regular security audits of cryptographic implementations. Users should be advised to avoid using this vulnerable application for accessing sensitive services and to consider updating to patched versions whenever available. Organizations deploying this application should conduct immediate security assessments to determine the scope of potential exposure and implement network monitoring solutions to detect potential man-in-the-middle attacks targeting this specific vulnerability.