CVE-2014-5602 in Magzter-Magazine
Summary
by MITRE
The Magzter -Magazine & Book Store (aka com.dci.magzter) application 3.31 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-2014-5602 affects the Magzter -Magazine & Book Store Android application version 3.31, 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 for malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically impacts the application's secure communication protocols, undermining the fundamental security assurances that SSL/TLS encryption is designed to provide.
This technical flaw constitutes a failure in certificate validation mechanisms that should be implemented according to industry standards and best practices. The application's inability to verify SSL server certificates means it accepts any certificate presented by a server, regardless of its authenticity or legitimacy. This behavior directly violates the principles outlined in CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation in security protocols. The vulnerability creates a man-in-the-middle attack scenario where attackers can establish fraudulent SSL connections with the application, effectively bypassing the intended security measures that protect sensitive user data transmission.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information that users might transmit or receive through the application. Mobile applications that handle user credentials, personal information, financial data, or other confidential content become particularly vulnerable when they fail to implement proper certificate validation. The attack surface becomes significantly larger as any network communication between the application and remote servers can be compromised without detection, potentially leading to identity theft, financial fraud, or other malicious activities. This vulnerability affects the application's integrity and confidentiality properties, as defined in the CIA triad, compromising the trust relationship between the user and the application.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation procedures within the application's SSL/TLS communication stack. The recommended approach involves implementing certificate pinning mechanisms that verify server certificates against known good certificates or public key fingerprints, as outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project guidelines. Additionally, developers should ensure that the application validates certificate chains against trusted certificate authorities and implements proper certificate expiration checks. The solution must align with NIST SP 800-52 guidelines for certificate management and should incorporate the use of secure cryptographic libraries that properly handle certificate validation. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts, while maintaining compliance with ATT&CK technique T1041 for secure network communication and T1566 for credential harvesting through social engineering. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to ensure that similar validation flaws do not exist in other application components or related systems.