CVE-2014-6786 in Math for Kids - Subtraction
Summary
by MITRE
The Math for Kids - Subtraction (aka it.tinytap.attsa.deepsub) application 1.2.10 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 vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6786 affects the Math for Kids - Subtraction Android application version 1.2.10, specifically targeting its implementation of secure communications through the use of SSL/TLS protocols. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the application's network security architecture, where the software fails to properly validate SSL certificates presented by remote servers. The absence of certificate verification creates a significant attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors seeking to intercept or manipulate communications between the mobile application and its backend services.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the application's failure to perform proper certificate chain validation and hostname checking during SSL handshake processes. According to CWE-295, this vulnerability maps directly to improper certificate validation, where the application accepts any certificate presented by a server without verifying its authenticity through trusted certificate authorities. The vulnerability enables man-in-the-middle attacks by allowing attackers to present forged SSL certificates that appear legitimate to the application, effectively bypassing the security mechanisms designed to protect data transmission integrity and confidentiality. This weakness specifically impacts the application's ability to establish secure connections with its servers, creating opportunities for attackers to eavesdrop on communications, modify data in transit, or impersonate legitimate services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it compromises the fundamental security assurances that users expect from mobile applications handling sensitive information. Attackers can exploit this weakness to obtain sensitive user data, including personal information, account credentials, or any data transmitted between the mobile application and its servers. The vulnerability affects the application's security posture by undermining trust in the communication channel, potentially enabling credential theft, session hijacking, or data exfiltration attacks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1046 Network Service Scanning and T1566 Phishing, as it enables attackers to establish malicious communication channels that can be leveraged for further exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper SSL certificate validation mechanisms within the application. Developers should implement certificate pinning techniques to ensure that only specific certificates or certificate authorities are accepted, preventing the acceptance of forged certificates. The application must perform comprehensive certificate chain validation, including hostname verification against the certificate's subject alternative name field. Additionally, implementing certificate transparency checks and maintaining up-to-date certificate stores can enhance the security posture. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual certificate behavior patterns and establish secure communication protocols that enforce strict certificate validation requirements. The remediation efforts must align with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-52 for certificate management and ensure compliance with mobile security best practices outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project guidelines.