CVE-2014-6825 in Teatro Franco Parenti
Summary
by MITRE
The Teatro Franco Parenti (aka com.mintlab.mx.teatroparenti) application 1.4.0 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.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6825 affects the Teatro Franco Parenti Android application version 1.4.0, presenting a critical security flaw in the application's SSL/TLS certificate verification mechanism. This weakness enables malicious actors to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting crafted certificates that appear legitimate to the application, thereby compromising the security of data transmitted between the mobile device and remote servers. The vulnerability specifically resides in the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates, which are fundamental components of secure communications in the Transport Layer Security protocol.
From a technical perspective, the flaw represents a failure in certificate pinning and validation processes that should be implemented by mobile applications to ensure secure communication channels. The application's inability to verify SSL server certificates means it accepts any certificate presented by a server without proper authentication, creating an attack surface where attackers can intercept and manipulate sensitive data. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041, which covers "Exfiltration Over C2 Channel" through insecure communication channels. The application's trust model is fundamentally compromised, allowing attackers to establish fake server identities that the application accepts without verification.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables attackers to access sensitive user information, session tokens, and potentially personal data transmitted through the application's communication channels. Mobile applications that rely on secure server communication for user authentication, data synchronization, or transaction processing become particularly vulnerable to this type of attack. The vulnerability is especially concerning for applications handling sensitive information such as user credentials, financial data, or personal identification details, as the attacker can seamlessly impersonate legitimate servers and capture all communications. This flaw essentially renders the application's security layer ineffective, as users are led to believe they are communicating securely with trusted servers when in reality their communications may be monitored or manipulated by malicious parties.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application. Developers must ensure that the application validates SSL certificates against trusted certificate authorities and implements certificate pinning techniques to prevent the acceptance of unauthorized certificates. The solution involves configuring the application to verify certificate chains, check certificate expiration dates, and validate domain names against the presented certificates. Additionally, implementing certificate transparency checks and maintaining up-to-date certificate trust stores can significantly reduce the risk of successful man-in-the-middle attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous certificate behavior and establish secure coding practices that prioritize cryptographic security in mobile application development. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of proper cryptographic implementation in mobile applications and the necessity of following industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project for secure mobile application development practices.