CVE-2014-6789 in Anaheim Library 2Go!
Summary
by MITRE
The Anaheim Library 2Go! (aka com.bredir.boopsie.anaheim) application 4.5.110 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-2014-6789 resides within the Anaheim Library 2Go! Android application version 4.5.110, representing a critical security flaw in the application's handling of secure communications. This issue manifests as a failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant exposure that undermines the fundamental security assurances typically provided by secure communication protocols. The application's insecure certificate verification mechanism effectively disables the cryptographic protection that users expect when connecting to library services through mobile devices.
This technical flaw directly corresponds to CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1573.002 related to "Encrypted Channels: Asymmetric Cryptography." The vulnerability operates by allowing the application to accept any certificate presented by a server without performing the required verification steps that ensure the certificate's authenticity and validity. Attackers can exploit this weakness by presenting a maliciously crafted certificate that appears legitimate to the application, thereby establishing a false sense of security while actually intercepting and potentially modifying all communication between the mobile device and the intended server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a complete man-in-the-middle attack vector that can compromise sensitive user data and library resources. Mobile users connecting to the Anaheim Library 2Go! application may unknowingly transmit personal information, borrowing records, or other confidential data through connections that are actually being monitored or manipulated by malicious actors. The vulnerability affects not only individual user privacy but also potentially exposes library systems to unauthorized access and data manipulation, particularly when users access sensitive features such as account management or reservation systems through the vulnerable application interface.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application's SSL/TLS communication stack. Organizations should implement certificate pinning techniques to ensure that only specific, trusted certificates are accepted from servers, while also ensuring that all certificate validation follows standard security protocols including checking certificate expiration dates, verifying certificate chains, and confirming the certificate's intended use through subject alternative name fields. The fix should involve updating the application to properly validate certificate signatures against trusted certificate authorities and implementing robust error handling that prevents the application from proceeding with connections when certificate validation fails. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar certificate validation flaws in other mobile applications and ensure compliance with industry standards such as those defined by NIST SP 800-57 for cryptographic key management and TLS protocol implementation.