CVE-2014-6007 in LikeHero Get Instagram Likes
Summary
by MITRE
The LikeHero Get Instagram Likes (aka com.fraoula.likehero) application 1.0.7 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-2014-6007 affects the LikeHero Get Instagram Likes Android application version 1.0.7, representing a critical security flaw in mobile application cryptography implementation. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate SSL/TLS certificates during network communications, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise user data and system integrity. The vulnerability specifically targets the certificate verification process within the application's secure communication framework, which is fundamental to establishing trust between mobile applications and remote servers.
The technical flaw manifests as a complete absence of X.509 certificate validation within the application's SSL implementation, which directly violates established security protocols and industry standards. This weakness allows malicious actors to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting forged certificates that the application accepts without proper verification. The vulnerability operates at the transport layer security level, where applications should implement certificate pinning or proper certificate chain validation to prevent unauthorized parties from impersonating legitimate services. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in cryptographic implementation where the application fails to properly validate digital certificates, specifically CWE-310.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables attackers to gain access to sensitive user information including personal data, authentication credentials, and potentially Instagram account details. Mobile applications that rely on secure communications without proper certificate validation create an environment where attackers can seamlessly intercept and modify data in transit, potentially leading to account takeovers, identity theft, and unauthorized access to user social media profiles. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it operates at the network level, allowing adversaries to exploit the trust relationship between the mobile application and remote servers without requiring physical access to devices or complex exploitation techniques.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1041 for data encryption for exfiltration and T1566 for credential access through social engineering. The man-in-the-middle capability provides attackers with persistent access to user data, enabling them to monitor communications, inject malicious content, and potentially redirect users to phishing sites that appear legitimate. Security researchers have documented similar vulnerabilities in mobile applications where certificate verification was bypassed, often leading to widespread exploitation due to the lack of proper certificate validation mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in mobile environments where applications frequently communicate with third-party services and user data is transmitted over potentially unsecured networks.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include implementing proper SSL/TLS certificate validation, which involves configuring the application to verify certificate chains against trusted certificate authorities and implementing certificate pinning where appropriate. Developers should ensure that all network communications utilize secure protocols with proper certificate validation, following industry best practices such as those outlined in OWASP Mobile Security Project recommendations. Additionally, implementing certificate transparency mechanisms and regularly updating certificate validation libraries can help prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in future versions of the application. The fix requires fundamental changes to the application's network security architecture and should be prioritized as a critical security update to protect user data and maintain application trust.