CVE-2014-5796 in Chest Workout
Summary
by MITRE
The Chest Workout (aka net.p4p.chest) application 2.0.8 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 • 09/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5796 affects the Chest Workout Android application version 2.0.8, specifically targeting its implementation of secure communication protocols. This flaw represents a critical weakness in the application's cryptographic security architecture, where the software fails to properly validate SSL/TLS certificates presented by remote servers during encrypted connections. The absence of certificate verification creates a significant attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to compromise the integrity of data transmission between the mobile application and its backend services.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper certificate pinning or validation mechanisms. When an Android application establishes an SSL connection, it should verify that the server's certificate is issued by a trusted Certificate Authority and that it matches the expected domain name. In this case, the Chest Workout application bypasses these essential security checks, allowing attackers to present fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the application. This weakness directly aligns with CWE-295, which addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and represents a fundamental failure in the application's security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables sophisticated man-in-the-middle attacks that can compromise user privacy and sensitive information. Attackers positioned between the user's device and the application's servers can intercept and modify communications, potentially accessing personal workout data, user credentials, or other confidential information. The implications are particularly severe given that this is a fitness application that likely collects personal health data, user preferences, and potentially authentication credentials for account access. This vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts and potentially manipulate workout routines or personal health information.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to several ATT&CK techniques including T1041, which covers data compression and T1566, focusing on credential access through social engineering. The attack vector typically involves network-level interception where adversaries deploy malicious WiFi access points or compromise network infrastructure to present forged certificates to unsuspecting users. The vulnerability also represents a failure in the principle of least privilege, as the application unnecessarily trusts all certificate authorities without implementing proper validation controls. Organizations should consider implementing certificate pinning strategies and regular security assessments to prevent such issues, as this vulnerability demonstrates a complete breakdown in the application's security architecture and exposes users to significant privacy and security risks.
This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in mobile applications and serves as a reminder of the potential consequences when security controls are omitted or improperly implemented. The lack of certificate verification in the Chest Workout application represents a fundamental flaw that could be exploited to compromise not just the application itself but potentially the broader security posture of users who trust the application with sensitive personal information.