CVE-2014-6678 in Algeria Radio
Summary
by MITRE
The Algeria Radio (aka com.wordbox.algeriaRadio) application 2.5 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-2014-6678 affects the Algeria Radio Android application version 2.5, specifically targeting its implementation of secure communication protocols. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the application's approach to establishing trusted connections with remote servers. The issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS handshakes, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise the integrity of communications between the mobile client and backend services. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper certificate validation, which is a well-documented weakness that directly impacts the security posture of mobile applications handling sensitive data or user credentials.
The technical implementation flaw manifests in the application's SSL certificate verification process where it fails to perform proper certificate chain validation and trust verification. This allows attackers to deploy malicious certificates that appear legitimate to the application, enabling them to intercept and potentially modify communications between the Android device and the server infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically impacts the application's ability to distinguish between authentic and forged certificates, creating a scenario where man-in-the-middle attacks can succeed without detection. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in the validation of X.509 certificates under the category of CWE-295, which focuses on improper certificate validation. The flaw essentially removes the cryptographic assurance that secure connections provide, undermining the fundamental security guarantees that SSL/TLS protocols are designed to deliver.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables sophisticated attack vectors that can compromise user privacy and application integrity. Attackers can leverage this weakness to obtain sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, or application-specific information that flows through the compromised communication channel. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for mobile applications that handle user authentication or transmit confidential information, as it effectively nullifies the security protections that should be provided by the underlying transport layer security. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and data interception, specifically leveraging network-level attacks to compromise the confidentiality and integrity of communications. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that the vulnerability affects an application that likely serves users in a region where mobile communication channels may be more heavily monitored or compromised.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application's SSL/TLS communication stack. The recommended approach involves implementing strict certificate chain validation, including proper hostname verification and trust anchor validation against established certificate authorities. Security measures should include enforcing certificate pinning for critical communication endpoints, which would prevent the application from accepting any certificate that does not match pre-established trust anchors. Additionally, the application should implement proper error handling for certificate validation failures and ensure that all SSL/TLS connections enforce certificate validation before establishing secure communication. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level monitoring to detect potential certificate-based attacks and establish automated alerting for unusual certificate validation events. The remediation process must ensure that all future versions of the application enforce robust certificate validation practices in accordance with industry standards and best practices for mobile application security.