CVE-2014-6679 in wEPISDParentPortal
Summary
by MITRE
The wEPISDParentPortal (aka com.dreamstep.wEPISDParentPortal) application 1.0 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-2014-6679 resides within the wEPISDParentPortal Android application version 1.0, specifically targeting the application's cryptographic security implementation. This flaw represents a critical weakness in the application's secure communication protocol that directly impacts the integrity of data transmission between the mobile client and remote servers. The vulnerability manifests as a failure to properly validate SSL/TLS certificates, creating an exploitable condition that undermines the fundamental security assurances typically provided by secure communication channels.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the application's complete omission of X.509 certificate verification during SSL handshake processes. This absence of certificate validation creates a scenario where the application accepts any certificate presented by a server without performing the essential checks that should confirm the certificate's authenticity, validity, and proper chain of trust. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in secure communications. When an attacker can successfully intercept communications between the vulnerable application and its intended server, they can present a fraudulent certificate that appears legitimate to the client application, thereby enabling unauthorized data interception and potential system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception to encompass complete session hijacking capabilities for attackers positioned within the network traffic path. Mobile applications that rely on secure communication channels for transmitting sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, or institutional records become particularly vulnerable. Attackers can exploit this weakness to conduct man-in-the-middle attacks, where they position themselves between the mobile application and legitimate servers to capture, modify, or redirect sensitive communications. The implications are severe for educational institutions that depend on such parent portal applications for managing student information, grades, and communication data, as this vulnerability could enable unauthorized access to confidential academic records and personal information.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1041, which describes data transmission through command and control channels, and T1566, which covers credential harvesting through social engineering and network attacks. The lack of certificate verification creates an attack surface that enables multiple exploitation vectors, including the potential for attackers to establish persistent access through compromised communication channels. Organizations using this application should immediately implement mitigations including certificate pinning mechanisms, network traffic monitoring, and enhanced security auditing of mobile applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing proper cryptographic security practices in mobile applications and highlights the necessity of following established security standards such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-52 for certificate management and validation in secure communications environments.