CVE-2014-5919 in 100GB+ FREE storage
Summary
by MITRE
The SurDoc - 100GB+ FREE storage (aka com.jd.surdoc) application 1.3.4.0 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 • 09/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5919 affects the SurDoc Android application version 1.3.4.0 which provides cloud storage services. This represents a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communications protocols. The flaw resides in the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack surface that compromises the integrity of network communications. This vulnerability falls under the category of weak certificate validation as classified by CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in security protocols. The application's insecure implementation of SSL/TLS certificate verification creates an environment where attackers can exploit the trust relationship between client and server.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the application's inability to perform proper certificate chain validation and hostname verification during SSL connections. When an Android application establishes secure connections to remote servers, it should validate that the server's certificate is issued by a trusted Certificate Authority and that the certificate's hostname matches the server being connected to. The SurDoc application fails to perform these essential validation steps, allowing malicious actors to present forged certificates that appear legitimate to the application. This weakness enables man-in-the-middle attacks where attackers can intercept and modify communications between the mobile application and its servers, potentially accessing sensitive user data including personal files, account credentials, and other confidential information stored in the cloud service.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception to encompass potential data manipulation and unauthorized access to user accounts. Mobile applications that fail to properly validate SSL certificates create an environment where attackers can establish fake server endpoints that appear authentic to users. This allows for credential theft, data exfiltration, and potential account takeovers. The vulnerability affects all users of the specific application version and creates a persistent security risk that remains active until the application is updated to implement proper certificate validation. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no special privileges or complex exploitation techniques, making it accessible to attackers with basic networking knowledge. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041 for data encryption for exfiltration and T1566 for credential access through social engineering, as the compromised application can facilitate both data theft and unauthorized access to user accounts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate application updates that implement proper SSL certificate validation. The recommended approach involves configuring the application to perform complete certificate chain validation, including checking certificate signatures, expiration dates, and hostname matching against the expected server names. Security patches should enforce certificate pinning where possible to prevent the use of unauthorized certificates, and implement proper error handling for certificate validation failures. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous SSL traffic patterns that might indicate certificate validation failures. The fix should align with industry best practices such as those outlined in OWASP Mobile Top 10 and NIST SP 800-52 for secure certificate management. Additionally, users should be advised to update their applications immediately upon release of patches and to avoid using the application on untrusted networks where man-in-the-middle attacks are more likely to occur.