CVE-2014-6731 in Alfa-Bank
Summary
by MITRE
The Alfa-Bank (aka ru.alfabank.mobile.android) application 5.5.1.1 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 • 09/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6731 affects the Alfa-Bank mobile banking application version 5.5.1.1 for Android devices, representing a critical security flaw in the application's cryptographic implementation. This weakness stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise user data and financial transactions. The vulnerability directly impacts the application's ability to establish secure communication channels with backend servers, fundamentally undermining the security model designed to protect sensitive banking information.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's SSL certificate verification process, where the mobile banking client fails to perform proper certificate chain validation and trust verification. This omission allows malicious actors to conduct man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting forged SSL certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The absence of certificate pinning and proper certificate validation mechanisms means that the application accepts any certificate presented by a server, regardless of its authenticity or trustworthiness. This behavior aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in security protocols, and represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's secure communication implementation.
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 transactions and user interactions within the banking application. Financial data, login credentials, and transaction details could be compromised through these attacks, potentially leading to unauthorized account access, fraudulent transactions, and complete financial fraud. The vulnerability affects users who conduct banking operations through the mobile application, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread use of mobile banking services and the sensitive nature of the information handled.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigations including immediate certificate pinning implementation, proper SSL certificate validation, and regular security audits of mobile applications. The remediation process requires developers to integrate proper certificate verification mechanisms, implement certificate pinning for critical endpoints, and ensure that all SSL/TLS connections undergo rigorous validation before establishing trust. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project and NIST guidelines for mobile application security. The attack surface can be significantly reduced by implementing proper certificate validation routines, using secure communication libraries, and conducting thorough security testing including penetration testing and code review processes. Additionally, the application should be updated to include proper certificate trust verification and implement mechanisms to detect and prevent certificate substitution attacks, ensuring that all communications between the mobile client and backend servers maintain their integrity and confidentiality.