CVE-2014-5582 in Ingress Intel Helper
Summary
by MITRE
The Ingress Intel Helper (aka com.bb.ingressintel) application 1.2 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 • 08/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5582 affects the Ingress Intel Helper Android application version 1.2, representing a critical security flaw in the application's cryptographic implementation. 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 secure communications protocols. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation, making it a direct implementation of weak cryptographic practices that have been well-documented in security literature for years.
The technical flaw manifests when the application establishes secure connections to remote servers without performing proper certificate verification procedures. This omission allows malicious actors to execute man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting forged certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The attack requires an adversary to position themselves between the mobile device and the legitimate server, intercepting communications and presenting a crafted certificate that the application accepts without validation. This weakness directly violates the principles of secure communication protocols and compromises the confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted between the application and its servers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model that secure mobile applications must maintain. Attackers can exploit this weakness to intercept sensitive user data, including login credentials, personal information, and potentially game-related data that users might consider private or valuable. The vulnerability affects all users of the specific application version, creating a widespread risk across the user base. The attack vector is particularly concerning in mobile environments where users may connect to public networks, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation. This weakness also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041, which describes data transmission through command and control channels, as the vulnerability enables unauthorized data interception during normal application usage patterns.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate application updates that implement proper certificate validation procedures. Developers must ensure that the application validates certificate chains against trusted certificate authorities and implements certificate pinning where appropriate to prevent the acceptance of forged certificates. Security patches should include robust verification of certificate signatures, expiration dates, and subject alternative names to ensure that connections are established only with legitimate servers. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level monitoring to detect anomalous certificate behavior and establish secure communication policies that prevent users from connecting to untrusted networks. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of cryptographic implementation practices and the necessity of following established security frameworks such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-57 for proper certificate management and validation procedures.