CVE-2014-5862 in ecalendar2
Summary
by MITRE
The ecalendar2 (aka cn.etouch.ecalendar2) application 4.5.3 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 • 09/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5862 affects the ecalendar2 Android application version 4.5.3, specifically targeting its implementation of secure communication protocols. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the application's certificate validation mechanism, creating a pathway for malicious actors to compromise user data integrity. The application's failure to properly verify X.509 certificates from SSL servers fundamentally undermines the security assurances that should be provided during encrypted network communications, leaving users vulnerable to various forms of cyber attacks.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's inability to perform proper certificate chain validation and trust verification during SSL/TLS connections. When an Android application establishes secure connections to remote servers, it should validate the server's X.509 certificate against trusted certificate authorities to ensure the authenticity of the communication endpoint. In this case, the ecalendar2 application bypasses these critical validation steps, allowing attackers to present fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the application. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-295, which describes "Improper Certificate Validation" as a weakness in software that fails to properly validate SSL/TLS certificates, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041, which covers "Exfiltration Over C2 Channel" through compromised secure communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables sophisticated man-in-the-middle attacks that can compromise sensitive user information. Attackers can exploit this weakness to impersonate legitimate servers and establish fraudulent connections with users, potentially gaining access to personal calendar data, contact information, and other sensitive details stored within the application. The consequences are particularly severe given that calendar applications typically contain highly personal and potentially sensitive information including medical appointments, business meetings, and private communications. This vulnerability creates an environment where attackers can not only steal data but also manipulate calendar entries, potentially causing significant disruption to users' personal and professional schedules.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application. Developers should implement robust certificate pinning techniques that validate certificate chains against trusted root authorities and maintain updated certificate trust stores. The application should enforce strict certificate validation procedures including checking certificate expiration dates, verifying certificate signatures, and ensuring proper hostname matching. Additionally, security measures should include implementing certificate transparency checks and monitoring for certificate anomalies. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level security controls such as SSL inspection capabilities and regular security assessments to detect and remediate similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should align with industry best practices outlined in OWASP Mobile Security Project recommendations for secure mobile application development, particularly focusing on proper cryptographic implementation and secure communication protocols.