CVE-2014-5748 in wK12olslogin
Summary
by MITRE
The wK12olslogin (aka com.wK12olslogin) application 0.1 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-2014-5748 resides within the wK12olslogin Android application version 0.1, specifically targeting the application's handling of SSL/TLS certificate validation mechanisms. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the application's cryptographic implementation, as it fails to properly validate X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers during secure communications. The absence of certificate verification creates a pathway for malicious actors to perform man-in-the-middle attacks, where attackers can intercept and manipulate communications between the vulnerable application and legitimate servers.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's failure to implement proper certificate pinning or validation procedures that are standard in secure mobile applications. When an Android application establishes SSL connections, it should validate the server's certificate against a trusted certificate authority to ensure the authenticity of the server. This vulnerability directly violates security principle 3 from the OWASP Mobile Security Project, which emphasizes the importance of secure communication channels and proper certificate validation. The flaw aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and represents a classic case of insufficient transport layer security implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it allows attackers to establish fraudulent SSL connections with the application, potentially gaining access to sensitive user data, authentication credentials, or confidential information transmitted through the application. Mobile applications that handle personal data, financial information, or authentication tokens are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, as the attacker can intercept and modify communications in real-time. This vulnerability is categorized under the MITRE ATT&CK technique T1046, which involves network service scanning and exploitation of insecure communication channels, making it a prime target for initial access and data exfiltration activities.
Organizations and developers should implement comprehensive mitigations including proper certificate validation mechanisms, certificate pinning implementation, and regular security assessments of mobile applications. The application should be updated to validate SSL certificates against trusted certificate authorities and implement proper certificate chain validation. Additionally, developers should consider implementing certificate pinning to prevent the use of fraudulent certificates even if they are technically valid. Security frameworks such as the Android Security Best Practices and NIST SP 800-52 should be referenced to ensure proper implementation of secure communication protocols. Regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar certificate validation issues in mobile applications, particularly those handling sensitive user data or conducting authentication processes.