CVE-2014-5605 in QQ Copy
Summary
by MITRE
The QQ Copy (aka com.digimobistudio.qqcopy) application 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 • 08/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5605 affects the QQ Copy application for Android, specifically targeting its implementation of SSL/TLS certificate validation mechanisms. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the application's cryptographic security posture, as it fails to properly validate X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers during secure communications. The absence of certificate verification creates a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise the confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted between the mobile application and remote servers. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper certificate pinning or validation routines that would normally be expected in secure mobile applications.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability manifests as a failure in the SSL/TLS handshake process where the application accepts any certificate presented by a server without performing the required verification steps. The application does not check certificate validity periods, issuer authenticity, or cryptographic strength, allowing attackers to present malicious certificates that appear legitimate to the application. This weakness directly violates industry security standards and best practices for mobile application security, as outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks including those recommended by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The flaw essentially disables the entire certificate-based authentication mechanism that SSL/TLS protocols are designed to provide, leaving communications vulnerable to interception and manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables sophisticated man-in-the-middle attacks that can compromise user credentials, personal information, and sensitive communications. Attackers can exploit this weakness to impersonate legitimate servers and intercept or modify data flows between the vulnerable application and its intended destinations. This creates risks for users who may unknowingly transmit confidential information such as login credentials, personal messages, financial data, or other sensitive content through the compromised application. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security guarantees that users expect from secure mobile applications, particularly those handling personal or business-critical information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address the core certificate validation failure through comprehensive security remediation. Application developers should implement proper SSL/TLS certificate verification mechanisms that include certificate chain validation, expiration date checking, and issuer authentication. The implementation should follow established security standards such as those defined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project and NIST guidelines for secure mobile application development. Additionally, certificate pinning should be implemented to prevent the acceptance of fraudulent certificates even if they appear valid. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques related to credential access and defense evasion, as it enables attackers to bypass security controls and gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The remediation process should include thorough code review, security testing, and implementation of proper cryptographic security controls that align with industry best practices for mobile application security.