CVE-2014-6751 in Grasshopper Beta
Summary
by MITRE
The Grasshopper Beta (aka com.grasshopper.dialer) application 2.1 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 • 09/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6751 affects the Grasshopper Beta Android application version 2.1, specifically targeting its secure communication protocols. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the application's implementation of SSL/TLS certificate validation mechanisms. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly validate X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers during secure connections, creating an exploitable gap in the cryptographic security framework that protects user data transmission.
This technical flaw directly relates to the application's failure to implement proper certificate pinning or validation procedures that should occur during SSL handshakes. The absence of certificate verification means that attackers can successfully perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The vulnerability stems from the application's inability to properly check certificate authorities, certificate expiration dates, or certificate fingerprints against trusted sources, allowing malicious actors to intercept and potentially modify communications between the mobile application and backend servers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it compromises the fundamental security assurances that users expect from secure mobile applications. Attackers exploiting this weakness can gain access to sensitive user information including personal communications, contact details, and potentially financial data transmitted through the compromised application. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of communications, undermining the trust model that secure mobile applications must maintain. This weakness is particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users may be accessing sensitive information over public networks, making the attack surface significantly broader.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-295 which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in secure communications. The flaw also maps to several ATT&CK tactics including initial access through network infiltration and credential access via man-in-the-middle techniques. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including certificate pinning, proper certificate validation mechanisms, and regular security audits of mobile applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper SSL/TLS implementation in mobile applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing during application development cycles to prevent such fundamental flaws from reaching production environments.