CVE-2014-5983 in Buy
Summary
by MITRE
The Threadflip : Buy, Sell Fashion (aka com.threadflip.android) application 1.1.11 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 • 11/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5983 affects the Threadflip Android application version 1.1.11, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communication protocols. This issue resides in the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack vector that undermines the fundamental security assurances provided by cryptographic protocols. The flaw specifically impacts the application's ability to establish trust with remote servers, making it susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks that can compromise user data and sensitive information exchanges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of certificate validation processes within its SSL/TLS implementation. When the application establishes connections to remote servers, it fails to perform proper certificate verification, including checking certificate chains, validating issuer information, and ensuring certificate expiration dates are appropriate. This absence of certificate validation allows attackers to present fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the application, effectively bypassing the security mechanisms designed to protect communications between the mobile client and remote servers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation" in security protocols, and represents a direct violation of secure communication best practices outlined in industry standards.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables sophisticated attack scenarios that can compromise user privacy and financial information. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by intercepting communications between the Threadflip application and its servers, potentially gaining access to user credentials, personal information, purchase histories, and other sensitive data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning given that the application handles fashion commerce transactions, making it a target for financial fraud and identity theft. The lack of certificate verification creates a trust boundary that attackers can easily exploit, undermining user confidence in the application's security and potentially leading to widespread data breaches across the user base.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper SSL/TLS certificate validation mechanisms within the application. Developers should implement robust certificate pinning techniques, ensuring that the application only accepts certificates from trusted Certificate Authorities and validates certificate chains properly. The solution must include proper certificate verification routines that check certificate validity periods, issuer information, and certificate signatures against known good certificates. Organizations should also consider implementing certificate transparency measures and regularly updating their certificate validation libraries to address known vulnerabilities. This remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting through man-in-the-middle attacks, and represents a fundamental requirement for mobile application security that should be addressed through comprehensive security testing and code review processes. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in mobile applications and serves as a reminder of the potential consequences when security measures are insufficiently implemented or completely absent from mobile client applications.