CVE-2014-6794 in AAPLD
Summary
by MITRE
The AAPLD (aka com.bredir.boopsie.aapld) 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 • 09/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6794 affects the AAPLD application version 4.5.110 for Android platforms, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communication protocols. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack vector that undermines the fundamental security guarantees of encrypted communications. The vulnerability specifically targets the certificate verification process, which is essential for establishing trust between the client application and remote servers in secure network transactions.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's inability to perform proper certificate chain validation and trust verification when establishing secure connections. This weakness allows malicious actors to execute man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting forged certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The absence of certificate pinning and proper validation mechanisms means that the application accepts any certificate presented by a server, regardless of its authenticity or trustworthiness. This failure directly violates established security protocols and creates a pathway for attackers to intercept, modify, or steal sensitive data transmitted between the application and its intended servers. The vulnerability falls under the category of weak cryptographic practices and improper certificate validation, which are commonly classified as CWE-295 (Improper Certificate Validation) and CWE-310 (Cryptographic Issues) in the CWE database.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it compromises the integrity and confidentiality of all communications within the affected application. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain access to sensitive user information, session tokens, personal data, and other confidential information that the application transmits over network connections. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the core security infrastructure of the application, potentially allowing attackers to impersonate legitimate servers and establish unauthorized communication channels. This creates a persistent threat vector that remains active as long as the vulnerable application version is installed on user devices, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on the application for sensitive operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention and implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of the AAPLD application where certificate verification has been properly implemented and strengthened. The recommended approach includes implementing certificate pinning, which involves embedding specific certificate fingerprints or public keys within the application to verify against server certificates. Additionally, developers should ensure that the application performs complete certificate chain validation, checks certificate expiration dates, verifies certificate authorities, and implements proper hostname verification. These measures align with the security recommendations outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, which emphasize the importance of proper cryptographic implementation and secure communication protocols. The vulnerability also highlights the need for regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in mobile applications and prevent exploitation through advanced persistent threats.