CVE-2014-6859 in Maps - Subway
Summary
by MITRE
The Daum Maps - Subway (aka net.daum.android.map) application 3.9.1 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-2014-6859 affects the Daum Maps - Subway Android application version 3.9.1, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communication protocols. This weakness stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack vector that compromises the integrity of network communications. The flaw directly violates fundamental security principles governing secure application development and network communication, as it eliminates the essential certificate verification mechanism that protects against malicious interference.
This vulnerability falls under the category of improper certificate validation, which is classified as CWE-295 in the Common Weakness Enumeration system. The application's failure to verify SSL server certificates creates an environment where attackers can successfully perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting fraudulent certificates to establish false secure connections. The technical implementation lacks proper certificate chain validation, hostname verification, and trust anchor checking mechanisms that are standard requirements for secure mobile applications. The absence of these security controls means that sensitive user data transmitted through the application could be intercepted, modified, or redirected without detection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception to encompass potential data manipulation and service disruption. Attackers exploiting this weakness could access user credentials, personal information, location data, and other sensitive details that users expect to be protected through secure communication channels. The vulnerability affects all users of the specific application version, creating a widespread risk across the user base. Mobile security frameworks and industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project emphasize the critical importance of proper certificate validation, making this flaw particularly concerning from a compliance and risk management perspective.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate application updates that implement proper SSL certificate validation procedures. Organizations should enforce certificate pinning mechanisms to prevent the acceptance of unauthorized certificates, implement hostname verification checks, and establish robust trust anchor validation processes. The solution involves updating the application code to properly utilize Android's certificate validation APIs and ensuring that all network communications undergo thorough certificate verification before establishing secure connections. Security professionals should also consider implementing network-level monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures to address potential breaches. This vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to security best practices as outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can create significant security risks in mobile applications.