CVE-2014-5550 in Animals! Kids Preschool Games
Summary
by MITRE
The Animals! Kids Preschool Games (aka air.com.tribalnova.Animals) application 1.6.1 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 • 08/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5550 affects the Animals! Kids Preschool Games application version 1.6.1 for Android devices, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communication protocols. This issue falls under the broader category of cryptographic weakness where the application fails to properly validate SSL/TLS certificates presented by servers during network communications. The absence of proper certificate verification creates a significant attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors positioned within the network infrastructure between the mobile device and the server endpoints.
The technical flaw stems from the application's improper handling of X.509 certificate validation during SSL connections, specifically failing to implement certificate pinning or proper certificate chain validation mechanisms. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-295, which addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and represents a failure in the application's security architecture to establish trust boundaries for network communications. When an Android application does not verify SSL certificates, it essentially trusts any certificate presented by a server, regardless of its legitimacy or whether it was issued by a trusted certificate authority. This creates an environment where attackers can perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting forged certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is particularly concerning given the target audience of the application, which consists of children and their parents. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can intercept and manipulate communications between the mobile application and its backend servers, potentially gaining access to sensitive user data including personal information, user credentials, or any data transmitted during application usage. The vulnerability enables attackers to create fake server certificates that appear legitimate to the application, allowing them to decrypt and modify communications, inject malicious content, or simply eavesdrop on data exchanges. This threat is exacerbated by the fact that the application targets young users, making it a potential vector for data collection and privacy violations that could be exploited for malicious purposes beyond simple information theft.
The attack vector for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041, which describes "Exfiltration Over C2 Channel" and can be leveraged for data interception and manipulation. Additionally, this vulnerability contributes to the broader category of credential theft and session hijacking attacks that can occur when SSL certificate validation is bypassed. The implications extend beyond immediate data compromise to potential long-term security consequences including identity theft, unauthorized access to user accounts, and the possibility of using intercepted data for further attacks against other systems or services. Organizations should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing proper cryptographic security measures in mobile applications, particularly those handling user data or providing access to sensitive systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper SSL certificate validation mechanisms within the application. Developers should implement certificate pinning to ensure that only specific certificates or certificate authorities are accepted for communication with backend services. The application should validate certificate chains against trusted root certificates and implement proper error handling for certificate validation failures. Additionally, developers should consider implementing certificate transparency checks and regularly update their certificate validation logic to address emerging threats. This vulnerability serves as a reminder that mobile application security cannot be overlooked, particularly in applications targeting vulnerable populations where the consequences of security breaches can be severe and long-lasting.