CVE-2014-5763 in Kid Mode: Free Games + Lock
Summary
by MITRE
The Kid Mode: Free Games + Lock (aka com.zoodles.kidmode) application 4.9.8 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-2014-5763 affects the Kid Mode: Free Games + Lock application version 4.9.8 for android platforms, representing a critical security flaw in the application's network communication security. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate SSL/TLS certificates during secure communications, creating a significant attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to compromise user data and system integrity. The vulnerability specifically targets the certificate verification process within the application's secure socket layer implementation, where it fails to perform proper X.509 certificate validation.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's inability to verify the authenticity of SSL certificates presented by remote servers during network communications. When an application does not properly validate X.509 certificates, it essentially trusts any certificate presented without confirming its legitimacy through proper certificate chain validation, issuer verification, or expiration date checks. This weakness allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The flaw directly maps to CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation in secure communications, and represents a fundamental failure in the application's cryptographic implementation that violates established security protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive user information that the application may collect or transmit. For a parental control application like Kid Mode, this presents particularly concerning implications since it could allow attackers to access children's personal data, location information, or other sensitive details that parents rely on the application to protect. The vulnerability creates a persistent security risk that remains active as long as the application is installed and in use, potentially exposing users to identity theft, privacy violations, and other malicious activities. Attackers can exploit this weakness to decrypt communications, modify data in transit, or redirect users to malicious websites that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from both application developers and users. Application developers must implement proper certificate pinning mechanisms, ensure robust X.509 certificate validation, and establish secure communication protocols that verify certificate chains against trusted authorities. The implementation should follow industry standards such as those defined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project and adhere to NIST guidelines for cryptographic module validation. Users should avoid using vulnerable versions of the application, keep their software updated, and consider removing the application until proper security patches are implemented. Additionally, network administrators should monitor for suspicious traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts and implement network-level security controls to detect and prevent man-in-the-middle attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in mobile applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing before deployment, particularly for applications handling sensitive user data.