CVE-2014-6741 in John MacArthur
Summary
by MITRE
The John MacArthur (aka com.john.macarthur) application 1.0.26 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-2014-6741 affects the John MacArthur Android application version 1.0.26, representing a critical security flaw in the application's SSL/TLS certificate validation mechanism. This weakness stems from the application's failure to properly implement X.509 certificate verification during secure communications with SSL servers, creating a significant attack vector for malicious actors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it directly undermines the fundamental security principles of secure communication channels that users expect when engaging with mobile applications.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's inability to validate SSL server certificates against trusted certificate authorities, allowing attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting fraudulent certificates. This occurs because the application bypasses the standard certificate chain validation process that should verify certificate authenticity, issuer legitimacy, and cryptographic integrity. The vulnerability falls under CWE-295 which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation" and represents a failure to implement proper SSL/TLS security controls. Attackers can exploit this weakness by intercepting network traffic and presenting forged certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application, thereby gaining access to sensitive data transmitted between the user's device and target servers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables comprehensive surveillance and data exfiltration capabilities for threat actors. Mobile applications that fail to validate SSL certificates create an environment where attackers can not only steal user credentials and personal information but also manipulate application functionality and compromise user privacy. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1041 which describes "Exfiltration Over C2 Channel" and T1566 which covers "Phishing for Information" through compromised secure communication channels. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where users connect to untrusted networks such as public wifi, as the application becomes a passive conduit for attacker activities without any mechanism to alert users of compromised connections.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application. Developers must ensure that SSL certificate verification includes checking certificate chain of trust, validating certificate expiration dates, and confirming the certificate's intended use through subject alternative name validation. The application should implement certificate pinning techniques to prevent downgrade attacks and ensure that only pre-approved certificates are accepted. Additionally, network security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual certificate validation patterns and potential interception attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can enforce secure communication policies and regularly audit application security configurations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions.