CVE-2014-6025 in Chartboost library
Summary
by MITRE
The Chartboost library before 2.0.2 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-2014-6025 affects the Chartboost library version 2.0.1 and earlier for Android platforms, representing a critical security flaw in certificate validation mechanisms. This issue falls under the category of weak cryptographic practices and inadequate certificate verification, which can severely compromise the integrity of secure communications between mobile applications and backend servers. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by exploiting the library's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a dangerous exposure for sensitive data transmission.
The technical flaw resides in the library's implementation of SSL certificate validation where it fails to perform proper certificate chain verification and trust validation. This weakness allows attackers to present maliciously crafted certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable library, thereby bypassing the security mechanisms designed to protect against unauthorized access. The vulnerability specifically targets the X.509 certificate verification process, which is fundamental to establishing secure communication channels in mobile applications. According to CWE-295, this represents a weakness in certificate validation where the application fails to properly verify the authenticity of SSL certificates, making it susceptible to various cryptographic attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for mobile application developers and end users who rely on the Chartboost library for advertising and analytics services. Attackers can exploit this weakness to intercept and modify sensitive information transmitted between applications and servers, potentially gaining access to user data, session tokens, or other confidential information. The vulnerability affects not only the specific data transmitted through the Chartboost library but also creates a potential pathway for broader attacks within the application ecosystem. This flaw directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046 which involves network service scanning and can be leveraged for initial access and data exfiltration activities.
Organizations using vulnerable versions of the Chartboost library face substantial risks including data breaches, unauthorized access to user information, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability affects any application that integrates the Chartboost library for Android platforms and has not upgraded to version 2.0.2 or later. Security professionals should prioritize immediate remediation efforts, including updating to the patched version of the library, implementing additional network monitoring, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of affected applications. The mitigation strategy should also include reviewing certificate validation practices across all mobile applications and ensuring proper implementation of secure communication protocols to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other third-party components.