CVE-2014-5587 in brokenscreencrank
Summary
by MITRE
The brokenscreencrank (aka com.biggame.brokenscreencrank) application 1.1 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.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5587 affects the brokenscreencrank Android application version 1.1, specifically targeting its implementation of secure communication protocols. This represents a critical security flaw in the application's certificate validation mechanism that fundamentally undermines the integrity of encrypted communications between the mobile client and remote servers. The issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS handshakes, creating an exploitable weakness that adversaries can leverage to compromise the security posture of users interacting with the application.
The technical flaw manifests as a complete absence of certificate verification within the application's network communication stack. When the brokenscreencrank application establishes connections to SSL servers, it bypasses the standard certificate validation procedures that should confirm the authenticity of server certificates against trusted certificate authorities. This omission creates a man-in-the-middle attack vector where malicious actors can intercept communications and present forged certificates that the application will accept without question. The vulnerability essentially removes the cryptographic verification step that ensures server identity, leaving users exposed to various forms of attack including credential theft, data exfiltration, and session hijacking.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception to encompass complete compromise of user privacy and security. Attackers can exploit this weakness to impersonate legitimate servers and gain access to sensitive information transmitted through the application, including user credentials, personal data, and potentially financial information. The vulnerability affects any communication channel that relies on SSL/TLS encryption within the application, making it particularly dangerous for applications that handle authentication, personal information, or financial transactions. Users who interact with the brokenscreencrank application become vulnerable to attacks that would normally be prevented by proper certificate validation mechanisms.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and represents a classic example of how inadequate cryptographic implementation can completely undermine security controls. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this flaw maps to techniques involving credential access through network sniffing and man-in-the-middle attacks, specifically targeting the T1046 and T1566 tactics. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor implementation of the principle of least privilege and fails to maintain proper security boundaries in network communications. Organizations should consider this issue as part of broader mobile application security assessments and implement comprehensive certificate pinning mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future applications. Mitigation efforts should include immediate code review and patching of the certificate validation logic, implementation of proper certificate verification procedures, and consideration of certificate pinning strategies to prevent acceptance of unauthorized certificates.