CVE-2014-6819 in Lapp Group Catalogue
Summary
by MITRE
The Lapp Group Catalogue (aka com.prinovis.LappKabel) application 1.4 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 • 09/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6819 affects the Lapp Group Catalogue Android application version 1.4, specifically targeting the application's cryptographic security implementation. This flaw represents a critical weakness in the application's secure communication protocol that fundamentally undermines the integrity of data transmission between the mobile client and remote servers. The application's failure to properly validate SSL/TLS certificates creates a significant attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to compromise user data and system security.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's complete absence of X.509 certificate verification during SSL connections. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-295, which addresses "Improper Certificate Validation" in security protocols. When an Android application fails to validate server certificates against trusted certificate authorities, it essentially removes the cryptographic assurance that data transmitted between client and server remains confidential and authentic. The application accepts any certificate presented by a server, including those generated by attackers, creating a pathway for man-in-the-middle attacks that bypass fundamental security measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables sophisticated attack scenarios that can compromise user privacy and corporate security. Attackers can establish malicious SSL connections with the application by presenting forged certificates that appear legitimate to the unverified client. This capability allows for comprehensive surveillance of all communications, including sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, and potentially confidential business information. The vulnerability particularly affects users who rely on the application for accessing proprietary catalog information, as attackers could gain access to competitive intelligence and sensitive business data.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1041, where adversaries establish persistence through network communication, and T1566, which involves social engineering to manipulate users into accepting malicious certificates. The attack vector specifically enables T1090, where adversaries use proxy or tunneling techniques to intercept communications, and T1573, which involves establishing covert channels for data exfiltration. Organizations using this application face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences due to the exposure of sensitive information through this cryptographic weakness.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application. The most effective solution involves configuring the application to validate SSL certificates against established certificate authorities and implementing certificate pinning to prevent the acceptance of unauthorized certificates. Additionally, developers should implement certificate trust verification routines that check certificate expiration dates, validate certificate chains, and ensure certificates are issued by trusted authorities. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous SSL connections and establish security policies that require regular security assessments of mobile applications. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper cryptographic security measures as outlined in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-52 for certificate management and OWASP Mobile Security Project guidelines for secure mobile application development.