CVE-2014-5920 in VK Amberfog
Summary
by MITRE
The VK Amberfog (aka com.amberfog.vkfree) application 3.5.6 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-2014-5920 affects the VK Amberfog Android application version 3.5.6, 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 application's certificate verification process, which is fundamental to establishing trust in secure communications between mobile clients and remote servers.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's inability to perform proper certificate chain validation and trust verification when establishing secure connections. This deficiency allows attackers to present fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the application, enabling them to intercept and manipulate encrypted communications. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation in security protocols, and represents a failure in the application's cryptographic implementation that violates fundamental security principles. The absence of certificate pinning or proper certificate validation mechanisms leaves the application susceptible to various man-in-the-middle attacks where malicious actors can position themselves between the user and legitimate servers.
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 potential data theft, session hijacking, and credential compromise. Attackers can exploit this weakness to impersonate legitimate servers and gain access to sensitive information that users expect to be protected through secure communication channels. This vulnerability particularly affects applications that handle personal data, financial information, or other sensitive content, as the compromised communication channels can lead to significant privacy violations and potential financial loss. The attack vector is particularly concerning in mobile environments where users may connect to untrusted networks, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application. The recommended approach includes implementing certificate pinning to ensure that only specific certificates or certificate authorities are trusted, along with proper certificate chain validation that verifies certificate signatures and expiration dates. Security measures should align with industry best practices outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project and should incorporate the principles of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring and detection capabilities to identify potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures to address any confirmed compromises. The vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to secure coding practices and conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in mobile applications.