CVE-2014-5747 in XFINITY Constant Guard Mobile
Summary
by MITRE
The XFINITY Constant Guard Mobile (aka com.whitesky.mobile.android) application 3.1.140603 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.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5747 affects the XFINITY Constant Guard Mobile application version 3.1.140603 for Android devices, representing a critical security flaw in the application's cryptographic implementation. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant security gap that exposes users to sophisticated man-in-the-middle attacks. The vulnerability specifically impacts the application's ability to establish secure communication channels with backend servers, undermining the fundamental security assurances that SSL/TLS protocols are designed to provide.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's certificate verification process where it fails to perform proper validation of X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers. This omission allows attackers to present fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the application, enabling them to intercept and manipulate encrypted communications between the mobile device and target servers. The vulnerability operates at the transport layer security validation level, where the application should be enforcing certificate chain validation, hostname verification, and trust anchor validation but instead accepts potentially malicious certificates without proper scrutiny. This weakness directly violates standard security practices outlined in industry frameworks such as the OWASP Mobile Security Project and aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables attackers to gain access to sensitive information that users expect to be protected through secure communication channels. Mobile applications like XFINITY Constant Guard Mobile typically handle personal data, account credentials, and potentially financial information, making the exposure of this vulnerability particularly concerning. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform session hijacking, capture user credentials, manipulate application data, or redirect users to malicious websites while maintaining the appearance of legitimate communication. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it operates transparently to users who would otherwise expect their communications to be secure, potentially enabling large-scale data theft or identity fraud across multiple users of the application.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application. Security patches should enforce strict X.509 certificate chain validation, including certificate signature verification, expiration date checking, and hostname validation against the certificate's subject alternative names. The application must establish trust with recognized certificate authorities and implement proper certificate pinning where appropriate to prevent downgrade attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing certificate transparency monitoring and regular security audits to detect similar vulnerabilities in their mobile applications. This remediation effort aligns with ATT&CK technique T1592 which involves reconnaissance through certificate analysis, and addresses the broader security principle of maintaining secure communication channels as outlined in NIST SP 800-57. The fix should also include implementing proper error handling for certificate validation failures and ensuring that the application fails securely when certificate validation cannot be completed successfully.