CVE-2014-6773 in CIH Quiz game
Summary
by MITRE
The CIH Quiz game (aka com.bowenehs.cihquizgameapp) application 1.3 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 • 09/16/2024
The CIH Quiz game application version 1.3 for Android presents a critical security vulnerability through its improper implementation of SSL certificate verification mechanisms. This flaw resides in the application's inability to properly validate X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers during secure communication sessions. The vulnerability creates a dangerous attack surface where malicious actors can exploit the missing certificate validation to perform man-in-the-middle attacks against users of the application. The absence of proper certificate verification means that the application accepts any certificate presented by a server without confirming its authenticity or legitimacy, fundamentally undermining the security assurances that SSL/TLS protocols are designed to provide.
This technical weakness directly violates established security principles and best practices for mobile application development. The application's failure to implement proper certificate pinning or validation creates a pathway for attackers to establish fraudulent SSL connections with users' devices. When users interact with the application's network services, they unknowingly communicate with attacker-controlled servers that present fake certificates, enabling the interception and potential manipulation of sensitive data exchanged between the mobile application and its backend services. The vulnerability manifests as a complete breakdown in the trust model that secure communications depend upon, allowing attackers to spoof legitimate servers and gain unauthorized access to user information or session data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception to encompass potential session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized access to user accounts within the application ecosystem. Attackers can exploit this weakness to capture user login credentials, personal information, or other sensitive data that flows through the application's network connections. The vulnerability affects all users of the application who engage in network-based activities, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may be accessing the application over untrusted networks such as public wifi hotspots. This flaw essentially transforms the application from a secure communication channel into a potential data exfiltration vector, undermining user confidence and potentially exposing sensitive personal or financial information.
Security practitioners should address this vulnerability through immediate implementation of proper SSL certificate verification mechanisms within the application. The recommended approach involves implementing certificate pinning strategies that validate server certificates against known good certificates or certificate authorities, ensuring that only legitimate connections are established. Organizations should also consider implementing certificate transparency checks and regular security audits of their mobile applications to identify similar vulnerabilities. This remediation aligns with established security frameworks such as the CWE-295 weakness category for improper certificate validation, and addresses tactics outlined in the ATT&CK framework under network infiltration and credential access techniques. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in mobile applications and serves as a reminder of the fundamental security requirements that must be maintained throughout the software development lifecycle.