CVE-2014-6851 in New Beginnings CFC
Summary
by MITRE
The New Beginnings CFC (aka com.goodbarber.nbcfc) application 1.1 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-2014-6851 affects the New Beginnings CFC Android application version 1.1, specifically targeting its implementation of secure communication protocols. This flaw represents a critical weakness in the application's cryptographic security infrastructure that directly impacts 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 adversaries can exploit to compromise user data and system security.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper certificate validation mechanisms within the application's network communication stack. When the application establishes secure connections to remote servers, it fails to perform essential X.509 certificate verification procedures that are fundamental to establishing trust in secure communications. This omission allows attackers to present fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the application, enabling them to intercept, modify, or steal sensitive information transmitted between the mobile device and targeted servers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in security protocols, and represents a classic example of weak cryptographic implementation that undermines the entire security framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception to encompass potential full system compromise and user data exposure. Attackers exploiting this weakness can conduct man-in-the-middle attacks to capture login credentials, personal information, financial data, and other sensitive user content that flows through the application's communication channels. The vulnerability affects all users of the affected application version, creating a widespread security risk that persists until the application is updated with proper certificate validation mechanisms. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in mobile environments where applications often handle sensitive personal and financial information, making the attack vector highly attractive to cybercriminals.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including updating the application to a version that properly validates SSL/TLS certificates, implementing network monitoring to detect suspicious certificate behavior, and educating users about the risks of using vulnerable applications. The remediation approach should follow established security practices for certificate validation, including proper implementation of certificate pinning, validation of certificate chains, and verification of certificate authorities. Organizations should also consider deploying network security solutions that can detect and block communications with improperly validated certificates. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of adhering to security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, which emphasize proper cryptographic implementation and certificate validation as fundamental security controls. The incident highlights the need for comprehensive security testing during application development and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices throughout the application lifecycle.