CVE-2014-5624 in Sniper Shooter Free - Fun Game
Summary
by MITRE
The Sniper Shooter Free - Fun Game (aka com.fungamesforfree.snipershooter.free) application 2.8 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 • 08/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5624 affects the Sniper Shooter Free - Fun Game Android application version 2.8, representing a critical security flaw in the application's cryptographic implementation. This issue manifests as a failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS communications, creating a significant pathway for malicious actors to compromise the application's secure communication channels. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of insufficient certificate validation, which is classified as CWE-295 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The application's inability to verify server certificates exposes users to severe security risks during network interactions, particularly when sensitive data is transmitted between the mobile application and remote servers.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the application's omission of proper certificate chain validation procedures during SSL handshakes. When the Android application establishes secure connections to remote servers, it fails to perform the essential verification steps that should confirm the authenticity of server certificates. This includes checking certificate signatures, validating certificate authorities, and ensuring proper certificate expiration dates. The vulnerability creates a man-in-the-middle attack vector where attackers can present fraudulent certificates to intercept and manipulate communications. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this represents a technique that enables credential access and data interception through network protocol manipulation. The lack of certificate pinning or validation creates an environment where attackers can establish fraudulent secure connections that appear legitimate to the victim application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, potentially enabling attackers to access sensitive user information, manipulate game data, or redirect users to malicious services. Mobile applications that rely on secure communications for user authentication, in-game purchases, or data synchronization become particularly vulnerable. The attack surface is broad since the vulnerability affects any network communication that relies on SSL/TLS without proper certificate validation. Users may unknowingly transmit personal information, login credentials, or payment details through compromised channels. The vulnerability is especially concerning in the mobile gaming context where applications often collect user data, maintain session information, and facilitate financial transactions. The flaw essentially undermines the entire SSL/TLS security model that mobile applications depend upon for secure communication with backend services.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application. Developers should implement certificate pinning techniques to ensure that only pre-approved certificates are accepted, or at minimum, implement robust certificate chain validation that checks certificate signatures against trusted certificate authorities. The application should verify certificate expiration dates, check certificate subject names against expected server names, and validate certificate revocation status through appropriate mechanisms. Security patches must include proper SSL/TLS implementation that follows industry best practices and standards such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-52 for certificate management. Additionally, implementing certificate transparency checks and regular security audits can help prevent similar issues in future releases. The remediation process should also involve comprehensive testing of SSL/TLS implementations to ensure that all network communications are properly secured against man-in-the-middle attacks. Organizations should consider implementing automated security scanning tools to detect similar certificate validation issues in other applications and prevent recurrence of such vulnerabilities in their mobile portfolio.