CVE-2014-5537 in Abduction Stacker Free
Summary
by MITRE
The Abduction Stacker Free (aka air.com.chewygames.abductionstacker2) application 1.0.7 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 vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5537 affects the Abduction Stacker Free Android application version 1.0.7, specifically targeting its implementation of secure communication protocols. This represents a critical flaw in the application's security architecture that undermines the fundamental principles of secure network communication. The application fails to properly validate SSL/TLS certificates, 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 failure to perform proper certificate verification during SSL connections, which directly violates established security protocols defined in the Transport Layer Security specification. This weakness falls under CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in security protocols. The application essentially accepts any certificate presented by a server without validating its authenticity through proper certificate chains, trust anchors, or cryptographic signatures. This vulnerability enables attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes users to significant risks including data interception, credential theft, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Attackers can exploit this weakness to eavesdrop on communications between the application and backend servers, potentially capturing user credentials, personal information, or financial data transmitted through the insecure connections. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the core security mechanisms that protect user privacy and data integrity, making it a prime target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit mobile application security gaps.
The attack vector for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046, which involves network service scanning and manipulation. Adversaries can leverage this flaw by positioning themselves between the mobile device and legitimate servers, presenting forged certificates that bypass the application's security checks. This allows them to decrypt and modify traffic in transit, potentially redirecting users to malicious servers or simply monitoring their communications without detection. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for credential harvesting attacks, where attackers can capture authentication tokens or session data that would otherwise be protected by proper SSL certificate validation.
Organizations and developers should implement immediate mitigations including updating the application to properly validate SSL certificates through established certificate pinning mechanisms, implementing proper certificate chain validation, and ensuring all network communications utilize secure TLS protocols with appropriate certificate verification. The remediation should follow industry best practices such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-52 for certificate management and TLS implementation guidelines. Additionally, implementing certificate transparency measures and regular security audits of mobile applications can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases.