CVE-2014-6799 in Investigation Tool
Summary
by MITRE
The Investigation Tool (aka gov.ca.post.lp.itool) application 1.0.0 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 CVE-2014-6799 vulnerability affects the Investigation Tool application version 1.0.0 for Android devices, specifically targeting the application's handling of SSL/TLS certificate verification mechanisms. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the application's cryptographic implementation, where the software fails to properly validate X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers during secure communications. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper certificate chain validation, certificate pinning, or trust store verification processes that are fundamental to establishing secure communication channels. This weakness directly violates established security practices and creates an exploitable condition that compromises the integrity and confidentiality of data transmitted between the mobile application and remote servers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects a tool designed for law enforcement or investigative purposes, where the integrity of collected evidence and sensitive information is paramount to its operational effectiveness.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's inability to perform essential certificate validation checks that should occur during SSL handshake procedures. When the Investigation Tool establishes connections to remote servers, it should verify that the server's certificate is issued by a trusted Certificate Authority, that the certificate has not expired, that the certificate's subject matches the server's domain name, and that the certificate has not been revoked. However, due to the missing verification logic, attackers can present fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the application, effectively bypassing the security mechanisms intended to protect communications. This vulnerability operates at the transport layer security level and represents a classic example of a man-in-the-middle attack vector where the attacker can intercept, modify, or steal sensitive information transmitted through the application's network communications. The flaw aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in security protocols, and demonstrates the critical importance of implementing proper certificate trust verification in mobile applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model that secure mobile applications must maintain to function effectively in sensitive environments. Law enforcement personnel using the Investigation Tool may unknowingly transmit sensitive evidence, case files, or personal information through compromised connections that appear secure to the user interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness to intercept communications containing investigative data, potentially compromising ongoing cases, exposing confidential sources, or gaining access to sensitive personal information. The vulnerability creates a persistent risk for users who rely on the application for legitimate investigative work, as the compromised security model could lead to evidence tampering, data corruption, or unauthorized access to classified information. Organizations deploying this application face significant operational risks including potential legal liability, regulatory violations, and compromised investigative integrity that could result in mission failure or public safety implications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-6799 require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application's network communication stack. The most effective approach involves implementing robust certificate pinning techniques that require the application to validate server certificates against a known set of trusted certificates or public keys, rather than relying solely on standard certificate authority validation. Organizations should also implement certificate revocation checking mechanisms and ensure that the application validates certificate expiration dates, subject names, and certificate chain integrity. The solution should incorporate proper error handling for certificate validation failures, ensuring that connections are terminated when certificate verification fails rather than proceeding with potentially compromised communications. Security patches should be developed to address the specific validation logic gaps in the application's SSL implementation and deployed across all affected installations. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to verify that the certificate validation mechanisms remain effective against evolving attack techniques and that the application maintains compliance with industry standards such as those specified in the NIST SP 800-52 guidelines for secure certificate management and the OWASP Mobile Security Project recommendations for secure mobile application development.