CVE-2014-5668 in BAND -Group sharing
Summary
by MITRE
The BAND -Group sharing & planning (aka com.nhn.android.band) application 3.2.8 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-2014-5668 affects the BAND -Group sharing & planning application version 3.2.8 for Android devices, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communication protocols. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant exposure in the mobile application's security architecture. The flaw exists within the certificate verification process, where the application accepts any certificate presented by a server without performing the essential validation steps that ensure the authenticity and integrity of the communication channel.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the scope of CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in secure communication implementations. This weakness allows malicious actors to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting forged certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The attack vector involves intercepting network traffic between the Android device and target servers, where the attacker can substitute their own certificate for the legitimate one. This enables the attacker to decrypt and potentially modify communications, gaining access to sensitive user data including personal information, messages, and potentially financial details transmitted through the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model that secure mobile applications rely upon for protecting user privacy and data integrity. Mobile applications that fail to properly implement certificate pinning or validation create persistent attack surfaces that can be exploited by adversaries with network access. The vulnerability affects users of the BAND application who may unknowingly transmit sensitive information through insecure channels, with potential exposure ranging from personal communications to business-related data shared within group planning features. This flaw particularly impacts users in public network environments such as cafes, airports, or any location where network traffic interception is feasible.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application. The recommended approach involves implementing certificate pinning techniques that verify server certificates against known good certificates or public key fingerprints, ensuring that only trusted certificates are accepted for secure connections. Additionally, developers should implement proper SSL/TLS configuration that enforces certificate validation and rejects self-signed or untrusted certificates. The solution aligns with ATT&CK technique T1573.002 which focuses on establishing secure communication channels and preventing man-in-the-middle attacks through proper certificate validation. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect potential certificate-based attacks and establish regular security audits to identify similar implementation flaws in other mobile applications. The fix requires comprehensive code review and testing to ensure that all network communication paths properly validate server certificates before establishing secure connections, thereby preventing the exploitation of this vulnerability and restoring user trust in the application's security measures.