CVE-2014-5749 in Jelly Splash
Summary
by MITRE
The Jelly Splash (aka com.wooga.jelly_splash) application 1.11.3 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 • 08/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5749 affects the Jelly Splash Android application version 1.11.3, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communication protocols. This issue falls under the broader category of insecure cryptographic implementation practices that have significant implications for mobile application security. The application's failure to properly validate SSL/TLS certificates creates a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the communication channel between the mobile client and remote servers, fundamentally undermining the security assurances that cryptographic protocols are designed to provide.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's certificate validation mechanism, which operates without proper X.509 certificate verification procedures. This weakness enables attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting fraudulent certificates that the application accepts without sufficient scrutiny. The vulnerability specifically targets the SSL/TLS handshake process where certificate authenticity should be confirmed through proper chain of trust validation, issuer verification, and expiration date checks. When an application fails to perform these essential validation steps, it essentially removes the cryptographic security layer that protects against unauthorized interception and modification of data in transit.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, encompassing potential full system compromise and sensitive information exposure. Mobile applications that communicate with backend services, process user credentials, or handle financial transactions become particularly vulnerable when they lack proper certificate validation. Attackers can exploit this weakness to intercept and modify communications, potentially gaining access to user accounts, personal information, financial data, or other sensitive resources. The vulnerability is especially concerning in applications that handle authentication tokens, session identifiers, or private user data, as these elements become accessible to malicious actors who can establish fraudulent connections with the application's servers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application's network communication stack. The recommended approach involves configuring the application to perform comprehensive X.509 certificate validation including chain of trust verification, issuer authentication, and certificate expiration checks. Security practitioners should implement certificate pinning techniques to prevent the acceptance of fraudulent certificates, and ensure that the application's SSL/TLS configuration adheres to industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project guidelines. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network communication components. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-295 which addresses improper certificate validation and relates to ATT&CK technique T1573.001 for establishing secure communication channels. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous certificate behavior and ensure that all mobile applications maintain proper cryptographic hygiene to prevent similar vulnerabilities from compromising user data and system integrity.