CVE-2014-5740 in Security - Free
Summary
by MITRE
The Security - Free (aka com.webroot.security) application 3.6.0.6610 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.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5740 affects the Webroot Security application version 3.6.0.6610 for Android devices, representing a critical flaw in the application's certificate validation mechanism. This issue falls under the broader category of weak cryptographic implementations and improper certificate verification practices that compromise the integrity of secure communications. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers during the establishment of secure connections, creating a significant security gap that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's inability to perform proper certificate chain validation and trust verification processes that are fundamental to establishing secure SSL/TLS connections. When an Android application attempts to communicate with a server over HTTPS, it should validate the server's X.509 certificate against trusted certificate authorities and verify that the certificate has not been tampered with or revoked. The Webroot Security application fails to execute these essential validation steps, allowing attackers to present fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the application. This weakness specifically aligns with CWE-295, which addresses "Improper Certificate Validation" in security protocols, and represents a direct violation of secure communication standards.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables man-in-the-middle attacks that can compromise sensitive user data and communications. Attackers can exploit this weakness by intercepting traffic between the Android device and legitimate servers, presenting forged certificates that the application accepts without proper verification. This allows malicious actors to eavesdrop on communications, potentially accessing personal information, login credentials, financial data, or other sensitive content that users expect to be protected by SSL/TLS encryption. The vulnerability particularly affects users who rely on the Webroot Security application for protection, as the application itself becomes a potential vector for data compromise rather than a protective measure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation efforts and long-term security improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves updating to a newer version of the Webroot Security application that properly implements certificate validation procedures and includes robust X.509 certificate verification mechanisms. Organizations should also implement network-level monitoring to detect suspicious certificate behavior and consider deploying additional security controls such as certificate pinning to prevent the acceptance of unauthorized certificates. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access through man-in-the-middle attacks and secure communication channel manipulation, emphasizing the need for comprehensive network security monitoring and endpoint protection measures. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation and the potential consequences when security applications themselves become points of weakness in the overall security infrastructure.