CVE-2014-5544 in SongPop
Summary
by MITRE
The SongPop (aka air.com.freshplanet.games.WaM) application 1.21.2 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-2014-5544 affects the SongPop application version 1.21.2 for Android devices, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communication protocols. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack vector that undermines the fundamental security assurances provided by cryptographic protocols. The vulnerability specifically impacts the certificate verification process, which is essential for establishing trust between the mobile application and remote servers.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's improper handling of SSL certificate validation, where it fails to perform necessary checks on the certificate chain presented by SSL servers. This includes not verifying certificate authority signatures, expiration dates, or hostname matching requirements that are standard components of secure SSL/TLS implementations. The absence of certificate pinning or proper certificate validation mechanisms allows attackers to exploit this weakness by presenting fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-295, which addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and represents a failure to implement proper SSL/TLS security controls that are fundamental to mobile application security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it enables man-in-the-middle attacks that can compromise sensitive user data transmitted between the SongPop application and its backend servers. Attackers can intercept and modify communications, potentially gaining access to user credentials, personal information, or other sensitive data that the application processes. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of data in transit, undermining the security model that users expect from mobile applications. This weakness is particularly dangerous in mobile environments where applications often handle personal information, financial data, or other sensitive content that requires robust security protections.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include implementing proper SSL certificate validation mechanisms within the application, including certificate pinning to specific trusted certificates or certificate authorities. The application should enforce strict certificate chain validation, verify certificate expiration dates, and ensure hostname matching between the certificate and the server being accessed. Security practices should align with industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project, specifically addressing the proper implementation of secure communication protocols. Additionally, developers should consider implementing certificate transparency measures and regularly updating their security libraries to address known vulnerabilities in SSL/TLS implementations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under network security testing and secure communication protocols, emphasizing the need for proper cryptographic implementation in mobile applications. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect potential man-in-the-middle attacks and establish incident response procedures to address potential exploitation of this vulnerability.