CVE-2014-6680 in superheroquiz
Summary
by MITRE
The superheroquiz (aka com.davidhey.superheroquiz) 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-2014-6680 resides within the superheroquiz application version 1.0 for Android operating systems, presenting 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 that undermines the fundamental security assurances typically provided by encrypted communications. The vulnerability directly impacts the application's ability to establish trust with remote servers, leaving users exposed to various forms of malicious interference and data interception.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the application's improper handling of SSL certificate validation mechanisms. When an Android application establishes a secure connection to a remote server, it should verify the server's X.509 certificate against a trusted certificate authority to ensure the authenticity of the communication endpoint. However, the superheroquiz application fails to perform this crucial verification step, allowing any malicious actor to present a forged certificate that appears legitimate to the application. This flaw represents a classic implementation error in secure communication protocols, specifically violating the principles of certificate chain validation and trust establishment that are fundamental to SSL/TLS security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables man-in-the-middle attacks that can compromise sensitive user data and communications. Attackers can exploit this weakness by intercepting network traffic between the application and its servers, presenting forged certificates that the application accepts without proper validation. This allows adversaries to eavesdrop on sensitive information exchanges, potentially capturing user credentials, personal data, or other confidential information transmitted through the application. The vulnerability essentially nullifies the encryption benefits that users expect from secure communications, making the application's data transmission vulnerable to interception and manipulation.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several established threat frameworks and classification systems. It corresponds to CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," representing a well-documented weakness in cryptographic implementations. The attack pattern also aligns with ATT&CK framework's T1566, which covers "Phishing with Social Engineering," as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to create convincing fraudulent communication endpoints. Additionally, this flaw demonstrates characteristics of T1046, "Network Service Scanning," and T1571, "Modify System Image," as it allows attackers to manipulate the application's secure communication behavior and potentially gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The security implications extend beyond immediate data interception, as this vulnerability could enable more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft, session hijacking, and data manipulation. Users of the superheroquiz application may unknowingly transmit sensitive information to compromised servers, believing they are communicating securely with legitimate endpoints. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning given that Android applications typically handle personal user data, including potentially sensitive information that users might share through the application's functionality. This flaw creates an environment where attackers can systematically compromise user trust and potentially gain access to broader network resources that the application might interface with.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate remediation efforts within the application's codebase, including implementing proper certificate validation mechanisms and ensuring all SSL/TLS connections perform thorough certificate chain verification. Developers should integrate robust certificate pinning techniques, where the application explicitly trusts specific certificate fingerprints or public keys rather than relying on generic certificate authority validation. Additionally, implementing proper error handling and logging for certificate validation failures can help detect and respond to potential attacks. The application should also be updated to use modern security libraries and frameworks that properly handle SSL/TLS certificate validation, ensuring that all network communications are verified against trusted certificate authorities. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and address similar vulnerabilities in the application's security architecture.