CVE-2014-5626 in Brothers In Arms 2 Free+
Summary
by MITRE
The Brothers In Arms 2 Free+ (aka com.gameloft.android.ANMP.GloftB2HM) application 1.2.0b 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-2014-5626 represents a critical security flaw in the Brothers In Arms 2 Free+ Android application version 1.2.0b, specifically addressing improper implementation of SSL/TLS certificate validation mechanisms. This weakness resides in the application's cryptographic security architecture where it fails to properly validate X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers during secure communication sessions. The absence of certificate verification creates a fundamental breach in the application's ability to establish trust with legitimate servers, leaving users vulnerable to sophisticated man-in-the-middle attacks that can compromise sensitive data transmission.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the application's failure to perform certificate chain validation, hostname verification, and signature validation processes that are essential components of secure SSL/TLS communication protocols. According to CWE-295, this vulnerability maps directly to "Improper Certificate Validation" where the software does not properly validate the authenticity and integrity of certificates used in secure communications. The application's insecure coding practices allow attackers to present maliciously crafted certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable client, effectively bypassing the security mechanisms designed to protect user data during network transmission. This vulnerability operates at the transport layer security level and represents a direct violation of security protocol standards that require robust certificate validation before establishing secure connections.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables attackers to not only eavesdrop on communications but also to actively manipulate data flows and impersonate legitimate services. Attackers can exploit this weakness to conduct session hijacking, perform credential theft, and access sensitive user information including personal data, account credentials, and potentially financial information. The vulnerability affects all users of the affected application version and creates an attack surface that can be leveraged for broader network infiltration attempts. According to ATT&CK framework domain T1566, this represents a "Phishing" technique where the vulnerability enables attackers to establish fraudulent communication channels that appear legitimate to users, making the attack more effective and harder to detect.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate remediation efforts including implementing proper certificate validation routines, enabling certificate pinning mechanisms, and ensuring all SSL/TLS connections undergo rigorous verification processes before data transmission occurs. Organizations should implement certificate validation libraries that properly check certificate chains, validate hostnames against certificate subjects, and verify certificate signatures against trusted certificate authorities. The recommended approach involves updating the application code to incorporate standard cryptographic libraries that enforce strict certificate validation policies, including checking certificate expiration dates, verifying certificate revocation status through CRL or OCSP mechanisms, and implementing certificate pinning where appropriate. Additionally, network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous certificate behavior and potential man-in-the-middle attack indicators that could signal exploitation attempts against vulnerable applications.