CVE-2014-5758 in Yellow Pages Local Search
Summary
by MITRE
The Yellow Pages Local Search (aka com.yellowbook.android2) application 11.0.0 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-2014-5758 resides within the Yellow Pages Local Search application version 11.0.0 for Android operating systems, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communications. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack vector for malicious actors seeking to compromise user data and system integrity. The flaw directly impacts the application's ability to establish trust with remote servers, fundamentally undermining the security assurances that SSL/TLS protocols are designed to provide.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the category of certificate validation failure, specifically classified as CWE-295 which addresses improper certificate validation in security protocols. The application's insecure implementation allows for man-in-the-middle attacks where attackers can present forged SSL certificates to unsuspecting users. This occurs because the application accepts any certificate presented by a server without performing the necessary verification steps that include checking certificate authority signatures, expiration dates, and domain name matching. The absence of proper certificate pinning or validation mechanisms creates an environment where attackers can intercept communications and potentially access sensitive user information, including personal data, search queries, and potentially login credentials or financial information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it fundamentally compromises the trust model that secure mobile applications rely upon. Users engaging with the Yellow Pages Local Search application are exposed to potential data breaches, identity theft, and privacy violations when conducting searches or accessing services through the compromised application. The vulnerability affects all users of the specific application version across various Android platforms, creating a widespread security risk that could be exploited at scale. Attackers can leverage this flaw to create convincing fake servers that appear legitimate to users, making the attack particularly dangerous as users may unknowingly provide sensitive information to malicious actors who have successfully impersonated legitimate services.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from both application developers and security administrators. The primary solution involves implementing proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application, ensuring that all SSL/TLS connections undergo rigorous verification processes including certificate authority validation, expiration date checks, and domain name matching. Organizations should also consider implementing certificate pinning techniques to prevent the acceptance of unauthorized certificates even if they are technically valid. Security best practices recommend following the OWASP Mobile Security Project guidelines for secure communication implementation and should reference the NIST SP 800-52 standard for certificate management. Additionally, users should be advised to avoid using the vulnerable application until patches are deployed, and organizations should consider network-level monitoring to detect potential man-in-the-middle attacks targeting this specific vulnerability. The remediation process must include thorough testing to ensure that certificate validation is properly enforced without breaking legitimate application functionality, as improper implementation of security controls can inadvertently create denial-of-service conditions.