CVE-2014-5884 in 1und1
Summary
by MITRE
The 1&1 Online Storage (aka de.einsundeins.smartdrive) application 5.0.11 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.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5884 affects the 1and1 Online Storage application version 5.0.11 for Android devices, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communication protocols. This weakness stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise user data and system integrity. The vulnerability specifically impacts the certificate verification process, which is fundamental to establishing trust in secure communications between mobile applications and remote servers.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's SSL certificate validation mechanism where it fails to perform proper certificate chain validation and hostname verification. This allows attackers to present malicious certificates that appear legitimate to the application, enabling them to establish fraudulent connections without triggering any security warnings. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation in security protocols, and represents a classic example of a man-in-the-middle attack vector. Attackers can exploit this weakness by intercepting network traffic between the Android application and its servers, presenting forged certificates that bypass the application's security checks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables comprehensive surveillance and data exfiltration capabilities for malicious actors. Users of the 1and1 Online Storage application may unknowingly transmit sensitive information including personal data, business documents, and authentication credentials to compromised servers controlled by attackers. The vulnerability undermines the fundamental security model of SSL/TLS encryption, which is designed to provide authentication, confidentiality, and data integrity. This weakness can result in unauthorized access to cloud storage accounts, potential identity theft, financial fraud, and corporate data breaches, particularly affecting users who store confidential information in the cloud storage service.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application. Security measures should include enforcing strict certificate chain validation, implementing hostname verification checks, and utilizing trusted certificate authorities for server authentication. Organizations should consider implementing certificate pinning techniques to prevent the acceptance of fraudulent certificates, while also ensuring that the application performs comprehensive validation of certificate expiration dates, issuer information, and cryptographic strength. The remediation process aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046 which addresses network service scanning, and T1566 which covers credential access through social engineering, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to user accounts and data repositories. Additionally, users should be advised to avoid using the vulnerable application until proper security patches are implemented and deployed across all affected systems.