CVE-2014-5949 in TICKET APP - Concerts
Summary
by MITRE
The TICKET APP - Concerts & Sports (aka com.xcr.android.ticketapp) application 3.0.1 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 • 09/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5949 affects the TICKET APP - Concerts & Sports Android application version 3.0.1, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communication protocols. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack surface that compromises the integrity of data transmission between the mobile client and remote servers. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-295 which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in secure communications, making it a direct implementation of weak cryptographic practices that have been widely documented as dangerous in mobile application security contexts.
The technical flaw manifests when the application establishes secure connections to backend servers without performing proper certificate chain validation or hostname verification. This allows attackers to deploy man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting forged SSL certificates that appear legitimate to the application. The vulnerability specifically impacts the certificate verification process, where the application accepts any certificate presented by the server without ensuring it matches the expected certificate authority or hostname. This weakness enables attackers to intercept and potentially modify sensitive data transmitted between the mobile application and its servers, including user credentials, personal information, and transaction details.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the application's communication layer. Mobile users who interact with the ticketing application become susceptible to various attack vectors including credential theft, session hijacking, and data manipulation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for a ticketing application that likely handles payment information, personal identification details, and user account credentials, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit the trust relationship between users and the application. This flaw directly violates the principle of secure communication as outlined in mobile security best practices and represents a failure to implement proper SSL pinning or certificate validation mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5949 should focus on implementing robust certificate validation procedures within the application's network communication layer. Security measures must include proper certificate chain validation, hostname verification, and implementation of certificate pinning techniques to prevent the acceptance of unauthorized certificates. The application should be updated to verify certificate authorities against trusted root certificates and implement proper error handling for certificate validation failures. Additionally, the implementation should follow established security frameworks such as those recommended in the OWASP Mobile Security Project and NIST guidelines for mobile application security. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect potential man-in-the-middle attacks and establish secure communication protocols that align with industry standards for mobile application security. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of cryptographic implementation in mobile applications and serves as a reminder that proper certificate validation is essential for maintaining user trust and data integrity in mobile commerce environments.