CVE-2014-5704 in DISH Anywhere
Summary
by MITRE
The DISH Anywhere (aka com.sm.SlingGuide.Dish) application 3.5.10 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 • 10/20/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-5704 represents a critical security flaw in the DISH Anywhere Android application version 3.5.10, specifically targeting the application's SSL certificate verification mechanism. This weakness stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers during secure communications, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise user data integrity and confidentiality.
The technical implementation flaw manifests in the application's cryptographic security practices where it bypasses the standard certificate chain validation process that should occur when establishing secure connections to remote servers. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-295 which defines improper certificate validation as a fundamental weakness in security implementations. The application's failure to verify certificate authenticity means it accepts any certificate presented by a server, including those that have been maliciously crafted or issued by untrusted authorities, effectively disabling the entire SSL/TLS security framework.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables sophisticated man-in-the-middle attacks where malicious actors can intercept communications between the Android application and legitimate servers. Attackers can generate and present forged certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application, allowing them to decrypt and manipulate sensitive user data including account credentials, personal information, and potentially financial details transmitted through the application. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it operates transparently to end users who would have no indication that their communications are being intercepted or modified, creating a persistent threat to user privacy and data security.
The security implications extend beyond simple data theft to encompass potential identity impersonation and service disruption. According to ATT&CK framework technique T1046, this vulnerability enables adversaries to establish persistent network connections and maintain access to the compromised application environment. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including certificate pinning mechanisms, updating to versions that properly validate SSL certificates, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of mobile applications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Mobile Top 10 and NIST SP 800-90A guidelines for cryptographic module validation, emphasizing that all mobile applications must implement robust certificate validation procedures to prevent such critical security gaps from persisting in production environments.