CVE-2014-5647 in ISL Light Remote Desktop
Summary
by MITRE
The ISL Light Remote Desktop (aka com.islonline.isllight.mobile.android) application 2.1.0 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 • 08/27/2024
The CVE-2014-5647 vulnerability affects the ISL Light Remote Desktop application version 2.1.0 for Android devices, presenting a critical security flaw in the application's SSL/TLS certificate verification mechanism. This vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers during the connection establishment process. The flaw creates a significant security gap that allows malicious actors to perform man-in-the-middle attacks against unsuspecting users who connect to remote desktop sessions through this application. The vulnerability specifically targets the certificate validation phase of the SSL/TLS handshake, where the application should verify the authenticity and trustworthiness of the server's certificate but instead accepts any certificate presented without proper verification.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the application's cryptographic security stack where X.509 certificate validation is either completely disabled or improperly implemented. When an Android application establishes an SSL connection to a remote server, it should perform certificate chain validation against trusted certificate authorities and verify that the certificate matches the server's hostname. The ISL Light Remote Desktop application fails to execute this crucial validation step, allowing attackers to present forged certificates that appear legitimate to the application. This weakness aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's security architecture. The vulnerability creates an attack surface where adversaries can intercept communications and potentially gain access to sensitive information transmitted through the remote desktop session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of remote desktop connections that rely on SSL/TLS encryption for confidentiality and integrity. When users connect to remote systems through the vulnerable ISL Light application, their communications become susceptible to various attack vectors including credential theft, session hijacking, and data exfiltration. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where remote desktop access is commonly used for administrative tasks, as it could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical systems and data. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1046 Network Service Scanning and T1566 Phishing, as attackers can leverage the compromised connection to further their objectives. The flaw essentially removes the cryptographic protection that SSL/TLS is designed to provide, leaving users vulnerable to attacks that would normally be prevented by proper certificate validation.
Organizations and users should immediately implement mitigations to address this vulnerability, including updating to the latest version of the ISL Light Remote Desktop application where the certificate validation has been properly implemented. Network administrators should consider implementing additional monitoring and detection measures to identify potential man-in-the-middle attacks targeting this specific vulnerability. The recommended remediation approach includes enforcing proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application, implementing certificate pinning where appropriate, and conducting regular security assessments of mobile applications used in enterprise environments. Security teams should also consider deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can detect anomalous SSL/TLS behavior patterns associated with certificate validation failures. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in mobile applications and the potential consequences of inadequate security controls in remote access solutions. Organizations should review their mobile application security policies and ensure that all remote access tools undergo thorough security testing including certificate validation verification before deployment in production environments.