CVE-2014-5728 in Watch HD Music Videos
Summary
by MITRE
The Vevo - Watch HD Music Videos (aka com.vevo) application 2.0.27 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 • 08/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5728 represents a critical security flaw in the Vevo Android application version 2.0.27, specifically targeting the application's SSL certificate verification mechanisms. This weakness exposes users to significant man-in-the-middle attack vectors where malicious actors can intercept and manipulate secure communications between the mobile application and remote servers. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates, which are essential cryptographic elements that establish trust in secure communications over the internet. When an application does not verify these certificates, it essentially removes a fundamental security layer that protects against unauthorized parties impersonating legitimate services.
The technical implementation flaw manifests in the application's network security configuration where it accepts any certificate presented by a server without performing the required validation checks. This includes verifying certificate authorities, checking certificate expiration dates, and ensuring proper certificate chains. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in security protocols, and represents a classic example of weak cryptographic implementation that undermines the entire SSL/TLS security framework. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can create fake certificates that appear legitimate to the application, allowing them to decrypt and potentially modify data transmitted between the user's device and Vevo's servers. This weakness directly enables attackers to eavesdrop on communications and access sensitive user information including personal data, authentication credentials, and potentially financial information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of user communications within the Vevo application. Mobile users are particularly at risk since they often access applications over public networks where man-in-the-middle attacks are more prevalent. The vulnerability affects not only the specific Vevo application but also demonstrates a broader pattern of security deficiencies in mobile application development practices where SSL certificate validation is often overlooked or incorrectly implemented. This weakness creates opportunities for attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user authentication tokens, and potentially gain unauthorized access to user accounts. The vulnerability also impacts the application's ability to maintain secure communications with backend services, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate content delivery or redirect users to malicious sites.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper SSL certificate verification mechanisms within the application. Organizations should implement certificate pinning techniques that validate specific certificate fingerprints rather than relying solely on certificate authority validation, which provides stronger protection against certificate forgery attacks. The application must be updated to perform comprehensive X.509 certificate validation including checking certificate expiration dates, verifying certificate authority signatures, and ensuring proper certificate chains are established. Security patches should be deployed immediately to address the vulnerability, and developers should follow established security frameworks such as those outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project and NIST guidelines for mobile application security. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in the application's security architecture. The implementation of these measures directly addresses the ATT&CK technique T1046, which focuses on network service scanning and exploitation of weak cryptographic implementations in mobile applications.