CVE-2014-5607 in Where's My Perry? Free
Summary
by MITRE
The Where s My Water? Free (aka com.disney.WMWLite) application 1.9.1 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 • 12/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5607 affects the Where's My Water? Free mobile application version 1.9.1 for Android devices, 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 exposure in the mobile security landscape. The vulnerability specifically targets the certificate verification process that should occur when establishing secure communication between the mobile application and remote servers. Mobile applications that handle sensitive user data or perform authentication functions are particularly susceptible to this type of flaw, as it fundamentally undermines the security assurances provided by SSL/TLS protocols.
The technical implementation flaw manifests in the application's inability to perform proper certificate chain validation and trust verification processes. When the application establishes secure connections to backend servers, it fails to validate the server's certificate against trusted certificate authorities or verify that the certificate matches the expected hostname. This omission creates a pathway for attackers to exploit the trust relationship by presenting maliciously crafted certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-295, which addresses the issue of improper certificate validation, and represents a classic example of weak cryptographic implementation that allows for man-in-the-middle attacks. The flaw essentially disables the certificate pinning mechanism that should protect against unauthorized certificate usage, leaving users vulnerable to various forms of network-based attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables sophisticated attack vectors that can compromise user privacy and system integrity. Attackers positioned within the network path between the mobile device and the application servers can exploit this weakness to perform man-in-the-middle attacks, potentially capturing sensitive user information, session tokens, or personal data transmitted through the insecure connections. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for applications that handle user authentication, payment information, or personal identifiable information, as it provides attackers with a straightforward method to bypass security controls. According to ATT&CK framework category T1573, this vulnerability enables credential access and data theft through network infiltration techniques, making it a significant concern for enterprise security and mobile application security posture. The attack surface is further expanded as the vulnerability affects the entire user base of the specific application version, creating widespread exposure across different network environments and user demographics.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper certificate validation mechanisms and strengthening the application's cryptographic security controls. Developers must ensure that all SSL/TLS connections perform thorough certificate chain validation, including verification of certificate signatures, expiration dates, and hostname matching. The implementation should follow industry standards such as RFC 5280 for X.509 certificate validation and incorporate proper certificate pinning mechanisms to prevent the acceptance of unauthorized certificates. Security patches should include mandatory certificate validation routines that reject certificates not issued by trusted authorities, and the application should implement proper error handling for validation failures. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level security controls such as SSL inspection and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other mobile applications, as this type of flaw is commonly found in legacy applications that were not designed with modern security requirements in mind. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of cryptographic implementation security in mobile applications and the necessity of following established security frameworks and best practices throughout the software development lifecycle.