CVE-2014-6802 in First Assembly NLR
Summary
by MITRE
The First Assembly NLR (aka com.subsplash.thechurchapp.firstassemblynlr) application 2.8.0 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 vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6802 affects the First Assembly NLR Android application version 2.8.0, presenting a critical security flaw in the application's SSL/TLS certificate validation mechanism. This weakness stems from the application's failure to properly verify X.509 certificates presented by SSL servers during secure communications, creating a significant attack vector for malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically impacts the application's ability to establish trust with legitimate servers, as it does not perform the essential certificate chain validation that should occur during SSL handshakes. This flaw directly violates fundamental security principles for secure communication and represents a clear violation of the certificate validation requirements outlined in industry standards.
The technical implementation flaw resides in the application's network security configuration where it bypasses the standard certificate verification process that should occur when establishing secure connections to remote servers. This occurs because the application does not properly implement certificate pinning or certificate chain validation, allowing any certificate to be accepted regardless of its authenticity or trustworthiness. The vulnerability essentially disables the cryptographic security mechanisms that protect against man-in-the-middle attacks, leaving users exposed to potential data interception and impersonation attempts. This issue falls under the broader category of improper certificate validation as defined by CWE-295, which specifically addresses failures in certificate validation processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables attackers to conduct successful man-in-the-middle attacks against users of the application. An attacker positioned between the user and the legitimate server can present a crafted certificate that the application will accept without proper verification, allowing them to intercept, modify, or steal sensitive information transmitted through the application. This includes but is not limited to user credentials, personal information, financial data, and other confidential communications that the application handles. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of all data transmitted through the application's network connections, making it particularly dangerous for applications that handle sensitive user information or facilitate financial transactions.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is significant given that the application operates on mobile devices where users may connect to various networks including public wifi hotspots, which increases the likelihood of man-in-the-middle attacks occurring in real-world scenarios. This vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1566 technique for "Phishing" and T1041 for "Exfiltration" where attackers can leverage the lack of certificate verification to establish malicious connections. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as a critical risk that requires immediate remediation, particularly given the widespread use of mobile applications and the sensitive nature of the information these applications typically handle. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing proper certificate validation mechanisms in mobile applications and serves as a reminder of the fundamental security requirements outlined in standards such as NIST SP 800-52 for certificate management and validation.
Recommended mitigations include implementing proper certificate validation procedures that verify certificate chains against trusted certificate authorities, implementing certificate pinning for critical communications, and ensuring that all SSL/TLS connections perform adequate certificate verification before establishing secure sessions. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect potential man-in-the-middle attacks and establish proper security testing procedures that include certificate validation checks. The application should be updated to include proper SSL/TLS certificate validation that aligns with industry best practices and security standards to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future releases.