CVE-2014-5940 in PocketPC.ch
Summary
by MITRE
The PocketPC.ch (aka com.tapatalk.pocketpcch) application 3.9.51 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-2014-5940 affects the PocketPC.ch Android application version 3.9.51, specifically targeting its implementation of SSL/TLS certificate verification mechanisms. This represents a critical security flaw that fundamentally undermines the application's ability to establish secure communication channels with remote servers. The issue resides in the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates, which are essential cryptographic components that verify server identity and ensure encrypted communication integrity. When an application neglects to verify these certificates, it creates an opening for malicious actors to exploit the communication channel without proper authentication.
The technical flaw manifests as a complete absence of certificate validation logic within the application's SSL implementation. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation" in security protocols. The application accepts any certificate presented by a server, regardless of its authenticity or trustworthiness, effectively disabling the entire certificate-based authentication system that SSL/TLS protocols are designed to provide. Attackers can exploit this weakness by deploying malicious man-in-the-middle attacks where they present forged certificates to intercept and potentially modify communication between the vulnerable application and legitimate servers. The absence of certificate pinning, certificate chain validation, and hostname verification creates multiple attack vectors that can be leveraged simultaneously.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables comprehensive surveillance and data manipulation capabilities for attackers. An attacker positioned between the Android device and target servers can not only eavesdrop on sensitive communications but also inject malicious content, alter data in transit, and potentially gain access to user credentials, personal information, and other confidential data. The vulnerability affects all communication channels that rely on SSL/TLS encryption within the application, potentially compromising user sessions, authentication tokens, and any sensitive information transmitted over the network. This weakness particularly impacts applications handling personal data, financial information, or corporate communications where confidentiality and integrity are paramount.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application. The recommended approach involves implementing robust certificate chain validation, hostname verification, and certificate pinning techniques to ensure that only trusted certificates are accepted. Organizations should consider implementing certificate transparency checks and establishing a trusted certificate authority framework that can validate server identities. The solution should include proper error handling for certificate validation failures and logging mechanisms to detect potential attacks. Additionally, the application should be updated to enforce certificate validation at all communication points, and developers should follow secure coding practices outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project guidelines. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of implementing proper cryptographic validation in mobile applications and serves as a reminder of the potential consequences when SSL/TLS security mechanisms are improperly implemented or entirely omitted.