CVE-2014-6672 in Friendcaster
Summary
by MITRE
The Friendcaster (aka uk.co.senab.blueNotifyFree) application 5.4.5 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 • 09/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6672 affects the Friendcaster application version 5.4.5 for Android operating systems, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communications. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack vector for malicious actors who can exploit this weakness to compromise user data and system integrity. The vulnerability specifically targets the certificate verification process, which is fundamental to establishing trust in secure network communications and preventing unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's inability to perform proper certificate chain validation and hostname verification when establishing secure connections to remote servers. This weakness allows attackers to present fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the application, enabling them to intercept and manipulate encrypted communications between the mobile device and target servers. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation" in security protocols, highlighting the critical nature of proper certificate handling in maintaining secure communications. When an application fails to verify certificate authenticity, it essentially removes the cryptographic protection that should prevent unauthorized parties from impersonating legitimate services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables sophisticated man-in-the-middle attacks that can compromise user credentials, personal information, and sensitive communications. Attackers can exploit this weakness to establish fake server endpoints that appear legitimate to the application, allowing them to capture login credentials, personal messages, financial data, and other confidential information transmitted through the vulnerable application. This type of attack aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1041 technique for "Exfiltration Over C2 Channel" and T1566 for "Phishing" as attackers can use the compromised application to collect sensitive data from users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning given that it affects a notification application that likely handles user data and may have access to sensitive information from other applications or services.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application's network communication stack. Security patches should enforce strict certificate chain validation, including hostname verification and certificate expiration checks, to prevent the acceptance of fraudulent certificates. Organizations should implement certificate pinning techniques to ensure that only pre-approved certificates are accepted, and establish proper certificate revocation checking procedures. The fix should address the root cause by implementing robust SSL/TLS certificate validation according to industry standards such as those specified in RFC 5280 for X.509 certificate handling and the recommendations provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology for secure mobile application development. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and ensure comprehensive protection against man-in-the-middle attacks.