CVE-2014-5985 in Animal Kaiser Zangetsu
Summary
by MITRE
The Animal Kaiser Zangetsu (aka com.wAnimalKaiserZangetsu) application 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-2014-5985 affects the Animal Kaiser Zangetsu Android application version 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 vector that compromises the integrity of data transmission between the mobile application and remote servers. The flaw specifically targets the certificate verification process that should establish trust between the client and server components of the application's network communication stack.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in the application's security architecture, where SSL certificate validation is either completely bypassed or inadequately implemented. This weakness allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The absence of proper certificate chain validation, issuer verification, and trust anchor checking creates an environment where malicious actors can intercept and manipulate sensitive data transmitted through the application's network connections. This flaw aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in security protocols, and represents a classic example of weak cryptographic implementation in mobile applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive user information, session tokens, and potentially personal data that the application processes. Mobile applications that rely on secure communication channels for user authentication, data synchronization, or transaction processing become particularly vulnerable to exploitation. The implications are severe for any application that handles user credentials, financial information, or confidential data, as the attack surface becomes significantly expanded due to the lack of certificate validation. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of communications, violating fundamental security principles of secure application development and exposing users to potential identity theft, financial fraud, and privacy violations.
Organizations and developers should implement comprehensive mitigations that include proper SSL certificate validation mechanisms, regular security assessments of mobile applications, and adherence to established security frameworks such as the OWASP Mobile Security Project guidelines. The recommended solutions involve implementing robust certificate pinning strategies, utilizing trusted certificate authorities, and ensuring that all SSL/TLS connections undergo proper validation procedures before establishing secure communication channels. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following ATT&CK framework principles for mobile application security, particularly in the context of secure communication and credential handling. Regular security testing, code reviews focusing on cryptographic implementations, and adherence to security best practices are essential for preventing similar vulnerabilities in future application releases. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of SSL/TLS implementations and validation of certificate trust mechanisms to ensure that applications maintain proper security postures against evolving threat landscapes.