CVE-2014-5730 in russkoe TB HD
Summary
by MITRE
The russkoe TB HD (aka com.videotelecom.russkoeHD) application 3.6 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-2014-5730 affects the russkoe TB HD Android application version 3.6, representing a critical security flaw in the application's SSL/TLS certificate validation mechanism. This weakness stems from the application's failure to properly verify 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 vulnerability specifically impacts the application's secure communication protocols, which are essential for protecting sensitive information transmitted between the mobile device and remote servers. From a cybersecurity perspective, this flaw directly violates fundamental security principles that govern secure network communications and data protection in mobile applications.
The technical implementation flaw manifests in the application's inability to perform proper certificate chain validation, certificate expiration checks, or hostname verification during SSL handshakes. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-295 category, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and represents a classic example of weak cryptographic implementation that allows for man-in-the-middle attacks. The application's trust model is fundamentally compromised as it accepts any certificate presented by a server without proper verification, effectively rendering the SSL/TLS security layer ineffective. Attackers can exploit this weakness by presenting a maliciously crafted certificate that appears to be from a legitimate server, enabling them to intercept, modify, or steal sensitive data transmitted through the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it fundamentally undermines user trust in the application and the broader security ecosystem. Mobile applications that fail to properly validate SSL certificates create persistent security risks that can lead to credential theft, financial data compromise, and privacy violations. The vulnerability affects users who rely on the application for accessing sensitive content, potentially exposing personal information, login credentials, or proprietary data to unauthorized parties. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability provides a straightforward path to establish persistent surveillance or data exfiltration capabilities without requiring advanced technical skills or expensive tools, making it particularly attractive for threat actors targeting mobile users.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security architecture improvements. Application developers should implement proper certificate pinning mechanisms, enforce strict certificate validation procedures, and integrate robust SSL/TLS security libraries that properly handle certificate verification. The fix should include comprehensive certificate chain validation, expiration date checks, and hostname verification to ensure that only legitimate certificates are accepted. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous certificate behavior and alert security teams to potential man-in-the-middle attacks. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability relates to technique T1041, which covers data compression and encryption, and T1566, which addresses credential access through social engineering, as attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The remediation process should involve thorough security testing, including penetration testing and certificate validation audits, to ensure that the application properly handles SSL/TLS communications and maintains the integrity of user data transmission.