CVE-2014-5840 in Free Calls
Summary
by MITRE
The forfone: Free Calls & Messages (aka com.forfone.sip) forfone application 1.5.11 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 • 09/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5840 affects the forfone application version 1.5.11 for Android devices, 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 malicious actors can exploit to compromise user data and system integrity. The vulnerability specifically targets the certificate verification mechanism that should ensure the authenticity of SSL servers and establish trust between the client application and remote servers.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's inability to perform proper certificate chain validation and trust verification processes that are fundamental to secure communication. When an Android application establishes SSL connections, it should validate the server's certificate against trusted certificate authorities and verify that the certificate matches the expected hostname. In the case of forfone, this validation process is completely bypassed, allowing attackers to present fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the application. This weakness enables man-in-the-middle attacks where adversaries can intercept and potentially modify communications between the application and its servers without detection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the application and exposes users to various forms of attack. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to impersonate legitimate servers, potentially gaining access to sensitive user information including personal communications, contact details, and potentially financial data if the application handles such information. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the core security infrastructure of the application, making it impossible for users to trust the authenticity of their connections. This creates a persistent risk that could lead to identity theft, data breaches, and unauthorized access to user accounts and communications.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices outlined in various security frameworks. The attack vector described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework falls under the category of "T1046 - Network Service Scanning" and "T1566 - Phishing" as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish fraudulent communication channels that appear legitimate to users. Organizations and security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader threat landscape that includes insecure communication protocols, inadequate certificate management, and insufficient cryptographic implementation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper certificate validation in mobile applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing that includes SSL/TLS implementation verification.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate code patches that implement proper certificate validation mechanisms, ensuring that the application performs complete certificate chain verification against trusted root certificates, and validates hostname matches during SSL handshakes. Mobile application developers should also implement certificate pinning strategies to prevent the use of fraudulent certificates even if they appear valid. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network communication components, and comprehensive security training should be provided to development teams to prevent similar issues in future applications. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that secure communication protocols must be implemented correctly and tested thoroughly to prevent exploitation by malicious actors who can easily leverage such weaknesses to compromise user security and privacy.