CVE-2014-5628 in Wonder Zoo - Animal rescue
Summary
by MITRE
The Wonder Zoo - Animal rescue ! (aka com.gameloft.android.ANMP.GloftZRHM) application 1.6.1 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 • 08/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5628 affects the Wonder Zoo - Animal rescue ! Android application version 1.6.1, specifically targeting the application's cryptographic security implementation. This issue represents a critical failure in the application's secure communication protocol where the software fails to properly validate SSL/TLS certificates presented by remote servers. The flaw exists within the application's network security architecture and demonstrates a fundamental lack of proper certificate verification mechanisms that should be standard in all mobile applications handling sensitive data transmission.
This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-295, which addresses the improper certificate validation in secure communication protocols. The application's failure to verify X.509 certificates creates a man-in-the-middle attack vector that allows malicious actors to establish fraudulent connections with the application's servers. Attackers can exploit this weakness by presenting crafted certificates that appear legitimate to the application, enabling them to intercept, modify, or steal sensitive information transmitted between the mobile device and the server infrastructure. The vulnerability essentially removes the cryptographic assurance that data integrity and server authenticity are maintained during network communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model that mobile applications rely upon for secure data exchange. Mobile applications that fail to properly validate SSL certificates expose users to potential data breaches, identity theft, and financial fraud. In the context of the Wonder Zoo application, this could result in the compromise of user accounts, personal information, in-app purchases, and potentially sensitive data related to user interactions within the game environment. The vulnerability affects all users of the specific application version and represents a systemic security flaw that persists until properly addressed through code modifications and certificate validation implementation.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability require implementing proper certificate pinning mechanisms and ensuring that all SSL/TLS connections validate certificate chains against trusted Certificate Authorities. The application should enforce certificate verification by checking certificate signatures, expiration dates, and issuing authority chains. Organizations should implement certificate pinning strategies that validate specific certificate fingerprints rather than relying solely on CA trust chains. Additionally, the application should be updated to include proper error handling for certificate validation failures and should reject connections when certificate verification processes fail. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046 which involves the exploitation of weak network security controls, and represents a failure to implement proper secure communication practices that are essential for mobile application security. The remediation process involves comprehensive code review, implementation of proper cryptographic libraries, and thorough security testing to ensure that all network communications properly validate server certificates before establishing secure connections.