CVE-2014-6847 in Horoscopes
Summary
by MITRE
The Horoscopes and Dreams (aka com.horoscopesanddreams) application 1.0.1 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 • 09/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6847 resides within the Horoscopes and Dreams Android application version 1.0.1, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communications. This issue manifests as a failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant pathway for malicious actors to compromise the application's security posture. The vulnerability directly impacts the application's ability to establish trust with remote servers, fundamentally undermining the security model that should protect user data during transmission.
The technical flaw stems from the application's improper handling of SSL certificate validation mechanisms, specifically the absence of certificate chain verification and trust anchor validation. When the application establishes secure connections to remote servers, it fails to perform the necessary cryptographic checks that would normally validate the authenticity of server certificates. This omission allows attackers to present fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the application, enabling them to intercept and manipulate communications between the mobile device and backend services. The vulnerability operates at the transport layer security validation level, where proper certificate verification should occur before establishing secure sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables comprehensive man-in-the-middle attacks that can compromise sensitive user information. Attackers can exploit this weakness to obtain personal data, login credentials, and other confidential information transmitted through the application's secure channels. The vulnerability affects all users of the affected application version, creating a widespread security risk that persists until the issue is resolved through software updates or patches. The implications are particularly severe given that the application handles personal horoscopes and dream interpretations, which may contain sensitive personal information that users trust to remain confidential.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and represents a classic example of weak cryptographic implementation in mobile applications. From an adversarial perspective, this flaw maps directly to ATT&CK technique T1041, which involves data compression and encryption to avoid detection, and T1566, which encompasses social engineering tactics that exploit trust relationships. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers with limited expertise in advanced penetration techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-6847 must focus on implementing proper SSL certificate validation mechanisms within the application. Developers should implement certificate pinning to ensure that the application only accepts specific certificates or certificate authorities, thereby preventing the acceptance of fraudulent certificates. Additionally, the application should enforce strict certificate chain validation, including proper verification of certificate signatures, expiration dates, and issuer information. The most effective remediation involves updating the application to include comprehensive certificate validation routines that align with industry best practices for mobile application security. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish robust patch management processes to ensure timely resolution of similar vulnerabilities across their mobile application portfolio.