CVE-2014-6719 in Kayak Angler Magazine
Summary
by MITRE
The Kayak Angler Magazine (aka air.com.yudu.ReaderAIR1360155) application 3.12.0 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.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6719 affects the Kayak Angler Magazine Android application version 3.12.0, 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 vector that compromises the integrity of data transmission between the mobile device and remote servers. The vulnerability specifically impacts the application's ability to establish trust with legitimate servers, making it susceptible to various forms of cryptographic attacks that exploit the absence of proper certificate verification mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests as a complete absence of certificate pinning or validation procedures within the application's network security implementation. When the application establishes SSL connections to remote servers, it fails to perform the essential step of verifying the server's X.509 certificate against trusted certificate authorities or established certificate chains. This omission allows attackers to deploy man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-295, which addresses the improper certificate validation in secure communications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041 for data encryption for data exfiltration and T1566 for credential access through social engineering attacks that leverage compromised communication channels.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables attackers to not only eavesdrop on communications but also to actively manipulate transmitted information. An attacker positioned between the vulnerable application and its target servers can establish fraudulent connections, potentially redirecting users to malicious sites or injecting harmful content into the application's data streams. This weakness particularly affects sensitive information handling within the magazine application, potentially exposing user credentials, personal data, or subscription details that may be transmitted during application usage. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it affects a mobile application that users trust to maintain secure communications, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit user confidence in legitimate software.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application's network stack. The recommended approach involves implementing certificate pinning techniques that either validate certificates against a predefined set of trusted authorities or maintain a whitelist of acceptable certificate fingerprints. Security enhancements should include proper SSL/TLS configuration that enforces certificate chain validation, implements certificate revocation checking, and establishes secure cryptographic protocol versions. Additionally, the application should incorporate mechanisms to detect and reject self-signed certificates or certificates from untrusted Certificate Authorities. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect potential man-in-the-middle attacks and establish regular security audits to ensure certificate validation remains effective against evolving cryptographic threats. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining robust cryptographic security practices in mobile applications and aligns with industry best practices outlined in OWASP Mobile Top 10 and NIST SP 800-52 for secure mobile application development and deployment.