CVE-2014-5808 in Whisper
Summary
by MITRE
The Whisper (aka sh.whisper) application 4.0.6 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 • 09/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5808 affects the Whisper application version 4.0.6 for Android operating systems, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communication protocols. This vulnerability 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 encrypted communications between the mobile application and remote servers.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's cryptographic implementation where it bypasses the standard certificate verification process that should occur during SSL handshake procedures. This omission allows malicious actors to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting forged SSL certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The certificate validation process typically involves checking the certificate's authenticity against trusted certificate authorities and verifying the certificate's validity period, subject names, and digital signatures. When this verification is bypassed, attackers can intercept and manipulate encrypted communications without detection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables comprehensive surveillance and data manipulation capabilities for adversaries. Attackers can not only eavesdrop on sensitive communications but also inject malicious content into the communication streams, potentially compromising user credentials, personal information, financial data, and other confidential materials transmitted through the vulnerable application. This weakness particularly affects applications handling sensitive user data where secure communication channels are essential for maintaining data confidentiality and integrity.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-295 which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation" and represents a failure in the application's security architecture that violates fundamental principles of secure communication. The vulnerability also maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1041 for Exfiltration Over C2 Channel and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers can leverage this weakness to establish persistent surveillance capabilities. Organizations using the affected application should implement immediate mitigations including certificate pinning mechanisms, updating to patched versions, and implementing network monitoring to detect potential man-in-the-middle activities. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation and certificate validation in mobile applications, particularly those handling sensitive user information.