CVE-2014-5710 in Cisco Class Locator Fast Lane
Summary
by MITRE
The Cisco Class Locator Fast Lane (aka com.tabletkings.mycompany.fastlane.cisco) application 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 • 08/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5710 affects the Cisco Class Locator Fast Lane Android application, specifically targeting the application's handling of SSL/TLS certificate verification mechanisms. This flaw resides within the mobile application's security architecture and represents a critical weakness in the cryptographic validation process that should protect users from malicious network interference. The application fails to properly validate X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers, creating an exploitable condition that undermines the fundamental security assurances provided by secure communication protocols.
This vulnerability stems from improper implementation of certificate validation logic within the Android application's network communication stack. The flaw allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting forged SSL certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The absence of certificate chain validation, hostname verification, and proper trust store management creates a pathway for attackers to intercept and manipulate communications between the mobile device and target servers. This weakness directly violates established security protocols and represents a failure in the application's cryptographic implementation that aligns with CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation in security protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables attackers to gain access to sensitive information transmitted through the application's network connections. Mobile users who rely on the Cisco Class Locator Fast Lane for business communications or access to corporate resources become vulnerable to credential theft, data breaches, and unauthorized access to confidential information. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where mobile applications handle sensitive corporate data, as it provides attackers with a means to bypass security controls and access privileged information. This represents a significant risk to both individual user privacy and organizational security posture.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary solution involves implementing proper certificate validation mechanisms that enforce certificate chain verification, hostname checking, and trust store validation. Security patches should enforce strict certificate validation procedures that align with industry standards such as those outlined in the NIST SP 800-57 cryptographic standards. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect suspicious certificate behavior and consider deploying mobile device management solutions that can enforce security policies. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of adhering to the ATT&CK framework's mitigation strategies for mobile application security, particularly those addressing credential access and defense evasion techniques that attackers might employ through such certificate validation flaws.