CVE-2014-5775 in Super Fast Browser
Summary
by MITRE
The Super Fast Browser (aka iron.web.jalepano.browser) application 2.0.5.6 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 Super Fast Browser application version 2.0.5.6 for Android presents a critical security vulnerability that fundamentally undermines the integrity of secure communications between users and web servers. This flaw resides in the application's certificate verification mechanism, specifically within its implementation of SSL/TLS security protocols. The vulnerability allows malicious actors to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting forged X.509 certificates that the application accepts without proper validation, creating a dangerous security gap in the mobile browser's trust model.
The technical flaw manifests as a complete absence of certificate chain validation within the application's SSL implementation. When establishing secure connections to websites, the browser fails to perform the essential steps required to verify certificate authenticity including checking certificate signatures, validating certificate authorities, and ensuring proper certificate expiration dates. This absence of verification means that attackers can generate and present fake certificates that appear legitimate to the application, enabling them to intercept and potentially modify all data transmitted between the user and target servers. The vulnerability operates at the core of the application's security architecture, fundamentally compromising the confidentiality and integrity of user communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception to encompass comprehensive session hijacking and credential theft capabilities. Attackers can exploit this weakness to capture sensitive information including login credentials, personal data, financial information, and other confidential communications transmitted through the vulnerable browser. The implications are particularly severe given that the application targets mobile users who may be accessing sensitive accounts over public networks where such attacks are more likely to occur. This vulnerability effectively nullifies the security benefits of HTTPS encryption for users of this specific browser implementation, leaving them exposed to sophisticated cyber threats.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate application updates from the vendor to implement proper certificate validation procedures. Security professionals should recommend that users discontinue use of the affected application version until a patched release is available, while network administrators should consider implementing additional monitoring for suspicious certificate activities on their networks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-295 which addresses improper certificate validation, and represents a clear violation of the fundamental security principles outlined in the NIST SP 800-57 standard for cryptographic key management. Organizations should also consider deploying network security solutions that can detect and block suspicious certificate behaviors, while the ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a credential access technique through the use of man-in-the-middle attacks that compromise the trust between communicating parties.