CVE-2014-5984 in Little Dragons
Summary
by MITRE
The Little Dragons (aka com.playcomo.dragongame) application 1.0.256 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-2014-5984 resides within the Little Dragons Android application version 1.0.256, specifically targeting the application's secure communication protocols. This issue represents a critical flaw in the application's implementation of Transport Layer Security (TLS) certificate validation mechanisms. The application fails to properly validate X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers during secure connections, creating a significant security weakness that can be exploited by malicious actors. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of data transmitted between the mobile application and remote servers, as it allows attackers to establish fraudulent connections without proper authentication.
The technical flaw manifests as a missing certificate verification process within the application's network communication stack. When the Little Dragons application establishes SSL connections to its backend servers, it does not perform the necessary cryptographic validation of server certificates against trusted certificate authorities. This omission creates a pathway for man-in-the-middle attacks where adversaries can present forged certificates that the application accepts as legitimate. The vulnerability stems from improper implementation of SSL/TLS handshake procedures, specifically bypassing the certificate chain validation that should occur during secure connection establishment. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in cryptographic implementation under CWE-310, specifically related to the absence of proper certificate validation mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables comprehensive server spoofing capabilities for attackers. Malicious actors can create convincing fake servers that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application, allowing them to capture sensitive user information including personal data, login credentials, and potentially financial information. The implications are particularly severe given that this is a mobile gaming application that likely collects user profiles, payment information, and personal identifiers. This vulnerability creates an attack surface that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041 for data encryption for exfiltration, and T1566 for credential harvesting through social engineering. The compromised application can serve as a vector for broader attacks within user networks, potentially leading to account takeovers and further system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5984 require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application's network security framework. Developers should implement robust certificate pinning techniques that validate server certificates against a known set of trusted authorities, ensuring that only certificates from legitimate sources are accepted. The application must enforce strict certificate chain validation during SSL handshakes, rejecting any connections that fail to meet established cryptographic standards. Security patches should include proper error handling for certificate validation failures, ensuring that any certificate verification issues result in immediate connection termination rather than proceeding with potentially compromised communications. Additionally, implementing certificate transparency monitoring and regular security audits can help detect and prevent similar vulnerabilities in future releases. Organizations should also consider network-level monitoring to detect anomalous SSL traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining compliance with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-52 for certificate management and RFC 5280 for X.509 certificate specifications.