CVE-2014-6651 in Planet of the Vapes Forum
Summary
by MITRE
The Planet of the Vapes Forum (aka com.tapatalk.planetofthevapescoukforums) application 3.7.9 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 • 09/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6651 affects the Planet of the Vapes Forum Android application version 3.7.9, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communication protocols. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise user data and system integrity. The vulnerability specifically targets the certificate verification mechanism that should ensure the authenticity of servers communicating with the mobile application, thereby undermining the fundamental security assurances provided by Transport Layer Security protocols.
The technical flaw manifests as a missing certificate validation step within the application's SSL implementation, which falls under CWE-295 - Improper Certificate Validation. This weakness allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The application's inability to verify certificate chains, validate certificate expiration dates, or check certificate signatures creates an environment where malicious actors can intercept and manipulate communications between users and legitimate servers. This failure directly violates the principles of secure communication established by industry standards and best practices for mobile application security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables attackers to obtain sensitive user information including personal data, login credentials, and potentially financial information transmitted through the compromised application. Users of the Planet of the Vapes Forum application become vulnerable to various attack vectors including credential theft, session hijacking, and data exfiltration. The vulnerability is particularly concerning given that it affects a forum application where users may share personal information, discuss sensitive topics, or engage in activities that could be exploited by adversaries. This weakness compromises the confidentiality and integrity of communications, potentially leading to identity theft, unauthorized access to user accounts, and broader security breaches within the application ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-6651 should prioritize immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application's SSL/TLS stack. Security measures must include enforcing certificate chain validation, implementing certificate pinning where appropriate, and ensuring that all X.509 certificates undergo comprehensive verification processes before establishing secure connections. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as certificate transparency monitoring and regular security audits of mobile applications. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 - Phishing, as attackers can leverage this weakness to create convincing fraudulent communication channels that appear legitimate to users. Furthermore, this issue demonstrates the importance of adhering to security frameworks such as the OWASP Mobile Security Project recommendations for secure mobile application development, particularly regarding secure communication implementation and proper cryptographic practices. The affected application should be updated to include robust certificate validation routines that verify certificate authorities, expiration dates, and certificate signatures against established trust anchors.