CVE-2014-5555 in Counting! Addition Kids Games
Summary
by MITRE
The Counting & Addition Kids Games (aka air.com.tribalnova.ilearnwith.ipad.PokoAddEn) application 1.8.1 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-2014-5555 affects the Counting & Addition Kids Games application version 1.8.1 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 surface that malicious actors can exploit to compromise user data and system integrity. The vulnerability specifically targets the certificate verification process, which is fundamental to establishing trust in secure communications between mobile applications and remote servers.
The technical flaw manifests as a missing certificate validation mechanism within the application's SSL implementation, allowing attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting fraudulent certificates to unsuspecting users. This weakness directly violates established security principles for secure communication and represents a failure in the application's cryptographic implementation. The vulnerability falls under CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041, which covers "Exfiltration Over C2 Channel" through compromised communication channels. When an attacker successfully spoofs a server certificate, they can intercept and manipulate all data transmitted between the vulnerable application and its intended server, potentially accessing sensitive user information, personal data, or authentication credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the application and creates opportunities for broader exploitation. Mobile applications that rely on secure communication channels for user authentication, data synchronization, or content delivery become vulnerable to attacks that can compromise user privacy and device integrity. This flaw is particularly concerning in educational applications that may collect user data, personal information, or learning progress data, as the vulnerability could enable attackers to access this sensitive information. The attack vector requires minimal technical expertise, making it accessible to threat actors with basic knowledge of certificate manipulation techniques, and the vulnerability affects all users of the specific application version regardless of their technical background or security awareness level.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements in the application's architecture. The primary solution involves implementing proper certificate verification mechanisms that validate SSL certificates against trusted certificate authorities and check certificate expiration dates, subject names, and digital signatures. Security patches should enforce certificate pinning where appropriate to prevent the acceptance of fraudulent certificates even if they appear valid. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect suspicious certificate usage patterns and establish secure communication protocols that comply with industry standards such as those defined in NIST SP 800-52 for certificate management. Additionally, developers should conduct comprehensive security testing including penetration testing and certificate validation assessments to ensure proper implementation of secure communication protocols before application deployment. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in mobile applications and serves as a reminder that insecure communication channels can undermine even well-designed application features.