CVE-2014-5987 in My3
Summary
by MITRE
The My3 - by 3HK (aka com.my3) application @7F0A0001 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-2014-5987 affects the My3 by 3HK mobile application running on Android devices, specifically targeting the application's handling of secure communications through the SSL/TLS protocol stack. This represents a critical security flaw in the application's cryptographic implementation that directly undermines the integrity and confidentiality of data transmitted between the mobile client and remote servers. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during the SSL handshake process, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise user data and system integrity.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's certificate verification mechanism, which fails to perform proper validation of SSL server certificates against trusted certificate authorities. This weakness allows attackers to conduct man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-295, which describes improper certificate validation in secure communications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041 for data encryption for impact and T1566 for credential access through social engineering. The application's failure to implement proper certificate pinning or validation creates an environment where attackers can intercept and manipulate encrypted communications without detection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential financial fraud, identity theft, and unauthorized access to sensitive user accounts. Mobile applications that handle personal data, financial transactions, or authentication credentials are particularly at risk when they fail to properly validate SSL certificates. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to intercept user login credentials, credit card information, personal messages, and other sensitive data transmitted through the application's secure channels. The risk is compounded by the fact that mobile users often connect to unsecured networks, making the vulnerability even more exploitable in real-world scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5987 should include immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms, including certificate pinning to prevent the acceptance of fraudulent certificates. Organizations should deploy certificate validation libraries that properly implement X.509 certificate chain validation and incorporate trust verification against established certificate authorities. The application should be updated to include proper SSL/TLS configuration that enforces certificate validation and implements secure communication protocols. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious certificate behavior, and users should be educated about the risks of connecting to untrusted networks. Security assessments should be conducted regularly to ensure proper implementation of cryptographic security measures and to identify potential vulnerabilities in mobile applications. The fix should align with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-52 for certificate management and OWASP Mobile Top 10 for mobile security best practices.