CVE-2014-6017 in Doodle Drop
Summary
by MITRE
The Doodle Drop (aka net.lazyer.DoodleDrop) application 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 • 09/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6017 resides within the Doodle Drop Android application, specifically manifesting as a critical SSL certificate verification flaw that fundamentally undermines the application's security posture. This weakness enables attackers to execute successful man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting crafted certificates that the application accepts without proper validation, thereby compromising the integrity of secure communications between the mobile device and remote servers.
The technical flaw stems from the application's failure to implement proper SSL certificate chain validation mechanisms, which is a fundamental security requirement for any mobile application handling sensitive data over network connections. The vulnerability represents a classic example of insecure cryptographic implementation where the application bypasses the standard certificate verification process that should ensure the authenticity of SSL servers. This flaw directly maps to CWE-295, which specifically addresses the improper certificate validation in secure communications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041 by enabling unauthorized data interception and manipulation during network communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it allows attackers to establish fraudulent connections with the application's backend services. An attacker positioned in the network path between the Android device and the server can present a malicious certificate that appears legitimate to the application, enabling them to intercept, modify, or redirect sensitive information transmitted between the mobile application and its servers. This includes but is not limited to user credentials, personal data, payment information, and any other sensitive content that the application may process or transmit over secure channels.
The implications extend beyond simple data theft, as this vulnerability creates a persistent security risk that can be exploited across multiple sessions and interactions with the application. Mobile applications that rely on SSL/TLS for protecting sensitive data are particularly vulnerable when they fail to validate certificate chains properly, as this creates an attack surface that can be leveraged by threat actors without requiring sophisticated exploitation techniques. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in the context of Android applications where users may be unaware of the security implications of such flaws, and the attack can be executed with minimal technical expertise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper SSL certificate validation mechanisms within the application code. The recommended approach involves implementing certificate pinning techniques that validate server certificates against known good certificates or certificate authorities, thereby preventing the acceptance of fraudulent certificates. Additionally, developers should ensure that the application enforces strict certificate chain validation, implements proper hostname verification, and utilizes secure cryptographic libraries that properly handle certificate validation. The solution must address the underlying architectural flaw by integrating robust certificate verification processes that align with industry standards such as those defined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project and NIST guidelines for secure mobile application development. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level monitoring to detect potential man-in-the-middle attacks and establish secure communication protocols that prevent unauthorized interception of sensitive data flows.