CVE-2014-5797 in smart
Summary
by MITRE
The smart (aka nh.smart) application 3.0.5 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-2014-5797 affects the nh.smart Android application version 3.0.5, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communication protocols. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack surface that compromises the integrity of network communications. The flaw essentially disables the certificate verification mechanism that is fundamental to establishing trust in secure communications, leaving users vulnerable to various forms of cyber attacks.
This technical weakness constitutes a failure in the application's cryptographic implementation, specifically in how it handles certificate validation during secure socket layer connections. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation, and represents a classic example of insufficient certificate verification in mobile applications. When an application fails to verify X.509 certificates, it essentially removes the cryptographic assurance that the communicating party is indeed the legitimate server it claims to be. This failure allows attackers to exploit the trust relationship by presenting malicious certificates that appear legitimate to the application but are actually crafted to deceive the client.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables man-in-the-middle attacks that can lead to complete compromise of sensitive information exchanges. Attackers can intercept communications between the mobile application and backend servers, potentially gaining access to user credentials, personal data, financial information, and other confidential materials. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting through phishing and social engineering, as the compromised application becomes a vector for data exfiltration. The attack surface extends beyond simple information theft to include potential account takeovers, financial fraud, and corporate espionage, particularly when the application handles authentication or sensitive business data.
The security implications of this vulnerability extend beyond immediate data compromise to encompass long-term trust degradation in the application ecosystem. Mobile applications that fail to properly implement certificate verification create persistent security risks that can be exploited across multiple sessions and user interactions. Organizations using this application face potential regulatory compliance issues under standards such as pci dss, hipaa, and gdpr, which mandate proper cryptographic controls and data protection measures. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security practices in mobile application development, particularly in the area of secure coding and proper implementation of cryptographic protocols. Effective mitigations include implementing proper certificate pinning mechanisms, ensuring robust certificate validation procedures, and regularly updating cryptographic libraries to address known vulnerabilities in SSL/TLS implementations. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as network monitoring, intrusion detection systems, and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their mobile application portfolios.