CVE-2014-6787 in Counter Intuition
Summary
by MITRE
The Counter Intuition (aka com.counter.intuition) application 1.2 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 Counter Intuition Android application version 1.2 contains a critical security flaw in its SSL certificate verification process that fundamentally compromises the integrity of secure communications. This vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers during the connection establishment phase. The absence of certificate validation creates a dangerous attack surface that enables malicious actors to execute successful man-in-the-middle attacks against unsuspecting users. According to the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, this represents a direct instance of CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in secure communications. The vulnerability manifests when the application accepts any certificate presented by a server without performing the essential verification steps that should confirm the certificate's authenticity and trustworthiness.
The technical implementation of this flaw allows attackers to intercept and manipulate communications between the mobile application and remote servers. When users connect to services through the Counter Intuition application, the malicious actor can present a forged certificate that appears legitimate to the application, thereby bypassing the security mechanisms designed to protect sensitive data transmission. This vulnerability directly aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1046 category, which covers network service scanning and exploitation of weak encryption implementations. The impact extends beyond simple data interception to include potential credential theft, session hijacking, and unauthorized access to user accounts or corporate resources that rely on the application for connectivity.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are severe and multifaceted, particularly for users who rely on the application for accessing sensitive information or conducting financial transactions. Attackers can exploit this weakness to steal personal identification information, financial data, or corporate secrets that flow through the compromised application. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security assurances that users expect from mobile applications, particularly those handling sensitive communications. Organizations using or developing similar applications face significant risk exposure, as this flaw represents a complete breakdown in the application's security architecture. The vulnerability's persistence across different server configurations and network environments makes it particularly dangerous, as it can be exploited regardless of the underlying network infrastructure or security measures in place. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing robust certificate validation mechanisms, as outlined in industry best practices such as those specified in the OWASP Mobile Security Project guidelines for secure communication protocols.