CVE-2014-6755 in SDN Forum
Summary
by MITRE
The SDN Forum (TapaTalk) (aka com.tapatalk.forumshiftdeletenet) application 3.6.5 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-2014-6755 affects the SDN Forum application version 3.6.5 for Android devices, representing a critical security flaw in the application's SSL/TLS certificate verification mechanism. This issue falls under the category of insecure cryptographic implementation as defined by CWE-310, where the application fails to properly validate the authenticity of SSL certificates presented by remote servers during secure communications. The vulnerability specifically targets the certificate validation process within the application's network security implementation, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise user data integrity and confidentiality.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's failure to perform proper X.509 certificate validation during SSL handshakes, allowing malicious actors to conduct man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting forged certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. This weakness enables attackers to intercept, modify, or steal sensitive information transmitted between the Android device and target servers, including user credentials, personal data, and other confidential communications. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the transport layer security level, undermining the fundamental security guarantees that SSL/TLS protocols are designed to provide. According to ATT&CK framework, this represents a technique categorized under T1046 (Network Service Scanning) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers can leverage this weakness to establish fraudulent connections that appear legitimate to users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it fundamentally compromises the trust model that secure mobile applications rely upon for protecting user privacy and security. Mobile applications that fail to validate SSL certificates create persistent security risks for users who may unknowingly transmit sensitive information to compromised servers. The vulnerability affects all users of the affected application version and persists until the underlying certificate validation logic is corrected, making it particularly concerning for applications handling sensitive user data. Organizations using this application for business communications face increased risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential reputational damage when users' information is compromised through these man-in-the-middle attacks. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552 (Unsecured Credentials) as it enables attackers to obtain sensitive information through compromised communication channels rather than direct credential theft methods.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper SSL certificate validation within the application's networking layer. Developers must ensure that the application performs thorough X.509 certificate chain validation, including checking certificate expiration dates, verifying certificate authorities, and ensuring proper hostname matching against the server's SSL certificate. The fix should implement certificate pinning mechanisms where appropriate, and the application should reject any SSL connections that fail certificate validation checks. Security updates should be deployed immediately to address the vulnerability, and users should be notified of the security risk and advised to update their applications as soon as possible. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect potential man-in-the-middle attacks and establish proper incident response procedures for handling certificate-related security incidents. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project and NIST guidelines for mobile application security.