CVE-2014-5924 in Monster Makeup
Summary
by MITRE
The Monster Makeup (aka com.bearhugmedia.android_monster) application 1.0.0.0 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 • 09/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5924 affects the Monster Makeup Android application version 1.0.0.0, 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 vector for malicious actors seeking to compromise user data. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of cryptographic weakness and certificate validation failures that have been consistently documented in cybersecurity literature as one of the most dangerous flaws in mobile applications.
The technical implementation flaw manifests in the application's network security configuration where it bypasses the standard certificate verification process that should occur during SSL handshakes. When an Android application establishes a secure connection to a remote server, it should validate the server's X.509 certificate against a trusted certificate authority to ensure the authenticity of the endpoint. However, the Monster Makeup application fails to perform this critical validation step, allowing attackers to present forged certificates that appear legitimate to the application. This weakness directly violates the fundamental principles of secure communication and undermines the entire SSL/TLS security model.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables sophisticated man-in-the-middle attacks that can compromise user data and privacy. Attackers can exploit this flaw to intercept and manipulate communications between the application and its servers, potentially gaining access to sensitive user information including personal data, authentication credentials, or financial information. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the core security infrastructure of the application, making it difficult for users to detect when their communications are being compromised. This type of vulnerability has been classified under CWE-295, which specifically addresses issues related to improper certificate validation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1573.001 for securing communications channels.
Organizations and developers should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability by ensuring proper certificate validation is enforced in all SSL/TLS connections. The recommended approach involves implementing strict certificate pinning mechanisms, where the application explicitly validates certificate fingerprints rather than relying solely on certificate authority validation. Additionally, developers should consider implementing certificate transparency checks and regular security audits of their network communication implementations. The fix requires updating the application's networking code to properly validate certificate chains against trusted CAs and implement proper error handling for certificate validation failures. This vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to established security frameworks such as those recommended by NIST and OWASP for mobile application security.