CVE-2014-6652 in Wizaz
Summary
by MITRE
The Wizaz Forum (aka com.tapatalk.wizazplforum) application 3.6.4 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-2014-6652 affects the Wizaz Forum Android application version 3.6.4, specifically targeting its implementation of secure communication protocols. This flaw represents a critical weakness in the application's security architecture that undermines the fundamental principles of secure network communication. The issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate SSL/TLS certificates, creating a significant attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to compromise user data and system integrity.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's SSL certificate verification process, where it fails to perform proper X.509 certificate validation during secure connections. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation in secure communication implementations. The application essentially accepts any certificate presented by a server without verifying its authenticity, trust chain, or proper certification authority. This weakness enables attackers to establish man-in-the-middle positions in network communications, intercepting and potentially modifying data transmitted between users and legitimate servers.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes users to significant risks including credential theft, session hijacking, and data interception. Attackers can create malicious certificates that appear legitimate to the application, allowing them to impersonate trusted forum servers and capture sensitive user information such as login credentials, personal messages, and private communications. The vulnerability particularly affects users who access the forum through potentially compromised networks, as the lack of certificate verification removes any protection against active network attacks. This weakness essentially nullifies the security benefits of SSL/TLS encryption, rendering the application's secure communication channels vulnerable to exploitation.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve implementing proper SSL certificate validation mechanisms within the application. Developers should ensure that the application validates certificate chains against trusted certificate authorities, verifies certificate expiration dates, and checks certificate subject names against the expected server names. This aligns with best practices outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project and follows the principles of secure coding for mobile applications. Additionally, the application should implement certificate pinning to further strengthen the security posture. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect potential man-in-the-middle attacks and regularly audit their mobile applications for similar security flaws. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in mobile applications and serves as a reminder of the potential consequences when security measures are inadequately implemented.