CVE-2014-5819 in PHONE for Google Voice
Summary
by MITRE
The PHONE for Google Voice & GTalk (aka com.moplus.gvphone) application 1.0 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-2014-5819 affects the PHONE for Google Voice & GTalk Android application version 1.0, representing a critical security flaw in the mobile application's implementation of secure communication protocols. This vulnerability resides within the application's SSL/TLS certificate validation mechanism, specifically failing to properly verify X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers during secure connections. The flaw creates a dangerous security gap that enables malicious actors to perform man-in-the-middle attacks against users of the application, potentially compromising the confidentiality and integrity of all communications between the mobile device and remote servers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate SSL certificates against trusted certificate authorities, as defined by the X.509 standard. This weakness allows attackers to generate or obtain fraudulent certificates that can be accepted by the application without proper verification, effectively bypassing the security mechanisms designed to protect users from unauthorized access. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and represents a fundamental failure in the application's security architecture that violates industry best practices for secure mobile application development. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1573.001, which covers "Encrypted Channel: Symmetric Cryptography," as the application fails to properly establish secure communication channels through inadequate certificate validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate communications and potentially gain access to sensitive user information. Mobile users of this application face risks including unauthorized access to their Google Voice and GTalk communications, potential account takeovers, and exposure of personal information transmitted through the application. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects a communication application where users expect end-to-end security and privacy, making it a prime target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit mobile communication channels. Attackers can leverage this weakness to establish fake servers that appear legitimate to the application, allowing them to capture and potentially modify all data transmitted between the user's device and the intended servers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from both application developers and end users. Application developers must implement proper certificate pinning mechanisms and ensure all SSL/TLS connections validate certificates against trusted certificate authorities using established validation libraries. The implementation should follow industry standards such as those defined in NIST SP 800-52 for certificate management and SSL/TLS protocol implementation. Users should avoid using the vulnerable application until patches are released and should consider alternative communication applications with proper security implementations. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect potential man-in-the-middle attacks and establish procedures for rapid response to similar security vulnerabilities in mobile applications. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security testing during application development cycles, including thorough penetration testing and security code reviews to identify and remediate such critical flaws before deployment to end users.