CVE-2014-6700 in Game Time 2013-2014
Summary
by MITRE
The NBA Game Time 2013-2014 (aka com.nbadigital.gametimelite) application 4.11 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 • 09/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6700 affects the NBA Game Time 2013-2014 Android application version 4.11, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communication protocols. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack surface that undermines the fundamental security guarantees of encrypted communications. The vulnerability specifically impacts the application's ability to establish trust with remote servers, making it susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks that can compromise user data and system integrity.
This technical flaw constitutes a failure in certificate validation mechanisms that should be implemented according to industry standards and best practices. The application's improper handling of SSL certificates creates a condition where attackers can present fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the application, effectively bypassing the security measures designed to protect user communications. This behavior directly violates the principles outlined in CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation in security protocols, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that should ensure proper SSL/TLS implementation. The vulnerability creates an environment where attackers can intercept and potentially modify communications between the mobile application and its backend servers without detection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive user information that may include personal data, authentication credentials, or other confidential information transmitted through the application's secure channels. Mobile applications that fail to properly validate certificates create persistent security risks for users who rely on these applications for accessing personal or financial information. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete compromise of user sessions, data theft, and potential financial fraud, as attackers can manipulate the application's communication to redirect users to malicious servers while maintaining the appearance of legitimate service delivery. This type of attack aligns with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under the T1071.004 sub-technique for application layer protocol: secure shell and related network protocols.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application's SSL/TLS stack. Organizations should implement certificate pinning techniques to ensure that the application only accepts certificates from trusted authorities and specific server identities. The fix should include proper certificate chain validation, including checking certificate expiration dates, verifying certificate signatures, and ensuring that certificates are issued by trusted certificate authorities. Additionally, developers should implement certificate revocation checking mechanisms and consider implementing additional security layers such as certificate transparency monitoring. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding guidelines and adhering to established security frameworks that emphasize proper cryptographic implementation and certificate validation practices. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to ensure that similar vulnerabilities do not exist in other components of the application's security architecture, as this type of flaw can have cascading effects on overall system security posture and user trust in mobile applications.