CVE-2014-5903 in Mobile@Work
Summary
by MITRE
The Mobile@Work (aka com.mobileiron) application 6.0.0.1.12R 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 • 09/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5903 affects the Mobile@Work application version 6.0.0.1.12R for Android platforms, representing a critical security flaw in the application's SSL/TLS certificate validation mechanism. This weakness resides in the application's failure to properly verify X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers during secure communications, creating a significant attack vector for malicious actors operating in man-in-the-middle scenarios. The vulnerability specifically targets the certificate verification process that should normally ensure the authenticity and integrity of server identities in encrypted communications.
The technical flaw manifests as a complete absence of certificate chain validation within the Mobile@Work application's secure communication framework. When establishing SSL connections, the application accepts any certificate presented by the server without performing the essential verification steps that include checking certificate signatures, validating issuer information, confirming certificate expiration dates, and ensuring proper hostname matching. This absence of validation creates a dangerous trust model where the application blindly accepts any certificate, including those generated by attackers or compromised Certificate Authorities, allowing them to impersonate legitimate servers within the network.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability exposes users to severe security risks including credential theft, data interception, and unauthorized access to corporate resources. Attackers can exploit this weakness by positioning themselves between the mobile device and target servers, presenting forged certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The impact extends beyond individual user data exposure to potentially compromise entire corporate networks, as Mobile@Work applications typically handle sensitive business information and may provide access to internal systems. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in security protocols, and represents a clear violation of secure communication principles that should be enforced at the application layer.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly concerning given the nature of Mobile@Work applications, which are designed for enterprise mobility management and typically operate in sensitive corporate environments. The lack of certificate verification creates opportunities for attackers to perform session hijacking, steal authentication tokens, and access confidential business data through the compromised communication channels. This weakness directly correlates with ATT&CK technique T1041, which describes data extraction through man-in-the-middle attacks, and demonstrates the critical importance of proper certificate validation in mobile security implementations. Organizations using this application face significant risk of data breaches and unauthorized access to their mobile infrastructure, particularly in environments where network security is already compromised or when users connect through untrusted networks such as public wifi.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate application updates from the vendor to address the certificate validation flaw, followed by network-level security measures including SSL inspection capabilities and monitoring for suspicious certificate activity. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential certificate forgery attacks and establish robust certificate management policies that include regular monitoring of certificate validity and proper certificate lifecycle management. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can enforce secure communication policies and provide visibility into network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper certificate validation in mobile applications and demonstrates how seemingly simple security flaws can create significant operational risks in enterprise environments where mobile devices serve as primary access points to corporate resources.