CVE-2014-5656 in TRA Auctions for Buyers
Summary
by MITRE
The TRA Auctions for Buyers (aka com.manheim.tra) application 2.6 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 vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5656 affects the TRA Auctions for Buyers Android application version 2.6, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communications. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise the integrity of communications between the mobile client and remote servers. The flaw exists within the application's cryptographic implementation, specifically in how it handles certificate verification processes during secure network transactions.
This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation in secure communications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1573.002 for "Encrypted Channels" where adversaries manipulate certificate validation to establish fraudulent secure connections. The application's insecure implementation allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting crafted certificates that appear legitimate to the client application. When the application fails to verify certificate chains, validate issuer information, or check certificate expiration dates, it creates opportunities for attackers to intercept and modify sensitive data transmitted between the mobile device and backend services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception to encompass complete compromise of user data confidentiality and integrity. Mobile users of the TRA Auctions application may unknowingly transmit sensitive information including auction details, personal identification data, financial information, and communication content through insecure channels. Attackers can exploit this weakness to eavesdrop on communications, inject malicious data into transactions, or redirect users to fraudulent endpoints that mimic legitimate auction services. The vulnerability particularly affects users who access the application over untrusted networks, such as public wifi hotspots, where the risk of interception is significantly elevated.
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 from trusted Certificate Authorities are accepted, and should integrate robust certificate chain validation routines that check issuer information, expiration dates, and digital signatures. The application must also implement proper SSL/TLS configuration settings that enforce certificate validation and reject self-signed certificates or certificates from untrusted authorities. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to ensure that cryptographic implementations remain secure against evolving threats, with particular attention to maintaining compliance with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-57 for cryptographic key management and validation practices.