CVE-2014-6005 in Survey.com Mobile
Summary
by MITRE
The Survey.com Mobile (aka com.survey.android) application 3.2.16 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 • 09/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6005 affects the Survey.com Mobile application version 3.2.16 for Android devices, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communications. 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 mobile devices and remote servers. The flaw specifically impacts the application's certificate verification process, which is fundamental to establishing trust in secure communications and preventing unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation in security protocols. The application's implementation lacks proper certificate chain validation, allowing attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting maliciously crafted certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. This weakness occurs at the SSL/TLS handshake phase where the application should validate certificate authenticity through trusted certificate authorities and proper cryptographic verification. The absence of certificate pinning or robust validation mechanisms means that any certificate presented by a server, regardless of its legitimacy, will be accepted by the application.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability exposes users to significant risks including data interception, credential theft, and unauthorized access to personal information. Attackers can exploit this flaw to eavesdrop on communications between the mobile application and backend servers, potentially capturing sensitive survey responses, user credentials, or other confidential data. The impact extends beyond individual user privacy concerns to potential organizational security breaches, especially if the application handles business-critical survey data or personal identifiable information. The vulnerability affects all users of the specific application version, making it a widespread concern across affected deployments.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at the transport layer security level, where attackers need only intercept network traffic to exploit the flaw. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041, which involves data compression and encryption to avoid detection while maintaining access to compromised systems. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of the application, implementing network-level monitoring for suspicious certificate behavior, and considering temporary network restrictions that enforce certificate validation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper secure coding practices and adherence to security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project, which emphasizes the critical need for proper certificate validation in mobile applications.