CVE-2014-6824 in kamkomesan
Summary
by MITRE
The kamkomesan (aka com.anek.kamkomesan) application 1.0 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 • 09/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6824 affects the kamkomesan Android application version 1.0, specifically targeting its implementation of secure communication protocols. This represents a critical security flaw in the application's cryptographic verification mechanisms that directly impacts the integrity of data transmission between the mobile client and remote servers. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS handshakes, creating a significant attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to compromise user data and system security. The flaw essentially disables the certificate pinning mechanism that should protect against unauthorized server authentication, leaving users vulnerable to various forms of network-based attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in the application's security architecture, where the SSL certificate validation process is either completely bypassed or inadequately implemented. This type of flaw falls under the category of weak cryptographic practices and improper certificate validation, which are commonly classified as CWE-295 - Improper Certificate Validation. The application's inability to verify the authenticity of SSL certificates means that it cannot distinguish between legitimate servers and malicious impostors, creating a scenario where attackers can establish fraudulent connections using crafted certificates. This weakness directly enables man-in-the-middle attacks by allowing adversaries to intercept and potentially modify communication between the vulnerable application and its intended servers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it creates opportunities for comprehensive data breaches and system compromise. Attackers can leverage this flaw to obtain sensitive user information including personal data, authentication credentials, and potentially financial information transmitted through the application. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of communications, undermining the trust model that secure mobile applications should maintain. From an attack perspective, this weakness aligns with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under T1041 - Exfiltration Over C2 Channel and T1566 - Phishing, as attackers can exploit the vulnerable application to gain access to user data that would otherwise be protected by proper SSL certificate validation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning given that it affects a mobile application, where users may be transmitting sensitive information over potentially insecure networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention and implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms. The application should implement strict certificate pinning, where the application maintains a trusted list of certificate fingerprints or public keys that are validated during SSL handshakes. Additionally, the implementation should include proper certificate chain validation, ensuring that certificates are issued by trusted Certificate Authorities and have not been revoked. Security patches should enforce certificate expiration checks and implement proper error handling for certificate validation failures. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect potential man-in-the-middle attacks and establish secure communication protocols that include certificate transparency. The remediation process should align with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-52 for certificate management and should be validated through security testing to ensure that proper certificate validation is enforced across all communication channels.