CVE-2014-5822 in VK Kate Mobile
Summary
by MITRE
The VK Kate Mobile (aka com.perm.kate) application 9.6.1 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 • 09/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5822 affects the VK Kate Mobile application version 9.6.1 for Android platforms, representing a critical security flaw in the application's SSL/TLS certificate validation mechanism. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly implement X.509 certificate verification during secure communication sessions, creating a significant attack vector for malicious actors. The vulnerability exists within the mobile application's cryptographic implementation and represents a fundamental breakdown in the security model designed to protect user data during transmission. The affected application, which serves as a popular messaging and social networking client for the vk.com platform, exposes users to potential data interception and unauthorized access attempts through this certificate validation weakness.
The technical flaw manifests as a complete absence of certificate pinning or proper certificate chain validation within the application's secure communication framework. When the VK Kate Mobile application establishes SSL connections to remote servers, it fails to validate the server certificates against trusted certificate authorities or implement certificate pinning mechanisms that would prevent the acceptance of fraudulent certificates. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation, and specifically embodies the weakness where applications fail to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS handshakes. The application's implementation likely relies on default SSL context configurations that accept all certificates without proper verification, creating an insecure communication channel that can be exploited by attackers positioned within the network traffic path.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial, as it enables man-in-the-middle attackers to establish fraudulent SSL connections with the application and deceive it into believing they are communicating with legitimate servers. Attackers can craft malicious certificates that appear valid to the application and use this capability to intercept, modify, or steal sensitive user information including personal messages, login credentials, and other confidential data transmitted through the application. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects mobile applications that handle personal and potentially sensitive information, making it attractive to both cybercriminals and nation-state actors seeking to exploit user data. The attack surface is broad since the vulnerability affects the core communication layer of the application, potentially compromising all user interactions and data exchanges.
The security implications extend beyond simple data interception, as this vulnerability can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks including credential theft, session hijacking, and data manipulation. Mobile applications that fail to validate SSL certificates create an environment where attackers can establish persistent surveillance capabilities, potentially monitoring all communications between users and legitimate servers. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting through phishing and social engineering, as the compromised application can be used to capture user credentials and sensitive information. Organizations and users should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack surface that requires comprehensive security measures including network monitoring, certificate validation enforcement, and application security reviews. The impact is particularly severe for applications handling sensitive personal information, as the vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple communication sessions.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper certificate validation mechanisms including certificate pinning, enforcing strict certificate chain validation, and ensuring that applications only accept certificates from trusted authorities. The application should be updated to include robust SSL/TLS certificate verification routines that comply with industry standards and best practices. Security measures should also include regular security assessments of mobile applications, implementation of secure coding practices, and deployment of network monitoring solutions to detect potential man-in-the-middle attacks. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as network segmentation, intrusion detection systems, and regular security audits to protect against exploitation of this vulnerability. The fix requires comprehensive code review and implementation of proper cryptographic security measures that ensure all SSL connections are validated against established certificate authorities and trusted certificate chains.