CVE-2014-5780 in Bouncy Bill
Summary
by MITRE
The Bouncy Bill (aka mominis.Generic_Android.Bouncy_Bill) application 1.9.1 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 • 09/01/2024
The Bouncy Bill application version 1.9.1 for Android presents a critical security vulnerability through its improper handling of X.509 certificate verification during SSL communications. This flaw represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's cryptographic security implementation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to conduct man-in-the-middle attacks against users. The vulnerability specifically affects the application's SSL/TLS certificate validation process, where it fails to properly validate the authenticity and integrity of server certificates presented during secure communications. This weakness allows attackers to present fraudulent certificates that the application will accept as legitimate, effectively breaking the trust model that secure communications depend upon. The implications extend beyond simple data interception to encompass complete credential compromise and sensitive information theft, as users trust the application to maintain secure connections with backend services and third-party APIs.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation" in security protocols. This weakness occurs when applications fail to properly validate SSL/TLS certificates against established trust anchors, allowing attackers to exploit the trust relationship between client and server. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where secure communication protocols should enforce certificate validation, but instead accepts any certificate presented by an attacker-controlled server. This flaw demonstrates a complete absence of certificate pinning or proper certificate chain validation mechanisms, leaving the application susceptible to various attack vectors including rogue certificate authority exploitation and certificate substitution attacks. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the core security infrastructure of the application, undermining all encrypted communications and potentially exposing user credentials, personal data, and sensitive business information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability creates significant risks for both end users and organizations relying on the application for secure operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness to intercept and modify communications between the application and backend services, potentially gaining access to user accounts, personal information, and business-critical data. The vulnerability enables sophisticated attack patterns that align with ATT&CK technique T1041, where adversaries establish persistent access through compromised communication channels. Users may unknowingly interact with malicious servers that appear legitimate to the application, leading to credential theft, session hijacking, and data exfiltration. The attack surface is broad since any SSL/TLS connections made by the application could be compromised, including authentication flows, data synchronization, and API communications with external services. This vulnerability essentially transforms the application into a potential vector for advanced persistent threats, where attackers can maintain long-term access to user environments and corporate networks.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of the application, implementing certificate pinning mechanisms, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of all mobile applications handling sensitive data. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in mobile applications and highlights the need for robust security testing throughout the development lifecycle. Security teams should monitor for potential exploitation attempts and implement network-based detection measures to identify suspicious certificate validation patterns. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing mobile device management policies that enforce secure communication practices and regular application updates. The incident underscores the necessity of following security standards such as those defined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project and NIST guidelines for mobile application security, particularly regarding secure communication protocols and certificate management practices. Without proper remediation, the application remains vulnerable to sophisticated attacks that can compromise user privacy and organizational security posture.