CVE-2014-5665 in Mzone Login
Summary
by MITRE
The Mzone Login (aka com.mr384.MzoneLogin) application 1.2.0 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 • 08/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5665 affects the Mzone Login Android application version 1.2.0, representing a critical security flaw in the application's secure communication implementation. 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 user data and system integrity. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper certificate validation, which is classified as CWE-295 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, specifically addressing the validation of certificates against a trusted certificate authority.
The technical flaw manifests when the application establishes secure connections to remote servers without performing proper certificate verification procedures. This omission allows attackers to conduct man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The certificate verification process typically involves checking the certificate's authenticity against a trusted root certificate store, validating the certificate's signature, and ensuring the certificate's validity period and intended use align with the connection requirements. When these checks are bypassed, the application accepts any certificate presented by a malicious server, effectively disabling the security mechanisms designed to protect against unauthorized access and data interception.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables comprehensive attack vectors that can compromise user credentials, personal information, and sensitive communications. Attackers can intercept and modify data transmitted between the application and servers, potentially gaining access to login credentials, financial information, or other confidential data. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates silently without user awareness, making it difficult to detect unauthorized activities. This type of attack is commonly categorized under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as T1046 (Network Service Scanning) and T1566 (Phishing), as the compromised application becomes a vector for further exploitation and data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5665 require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application. Developers should implement certificate pinning techniques that validate server certificates against a predefined set of trusted certificates or public keys, rather than relying solely on the system's default certificate store. The application must perform comprehensive certificate validation including checking certificate signatures, verifying certificate authority trust, validating certificate expiration dates, and ensuring proper certificate usage constraints. Additionally, implementing secure communication protocols that enforce certificate validation and regularly updating the application to address known security vulnerabilities will significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also consider deploying network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous certificate behavior and implement proper security testing procedures including penetration testing and security code reviews to identify similar validation flaws in other applications.