CVE-2014-6869 in barcode scanner
Summary
by MITRE
The barcode scanner (aka tw.com.books.android.plus) application 2.3.0 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 • 09/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6869 affects the barcode scanner application version 2.3.0 for Android devices, specifically targeting the application's SSL certificate verification mechanism. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the application's cryptographic implementation that directly impacts the integrity of secure communications between the mobile client and remote servers. The application fails to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS handshakes, creating an exploitable condition that undermines the fundamental security guarantees of encrypted communications.
The technical flaw stems from the application's improper implementation of SSL certificate validation routines within the Android operating system's network security framework. When establishing secure connections to remote servers, the application bypasses the standard certificate chain validation process that should verify the authenticity of server certificates against trusted certificate authorities. This omission allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting forged certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application, effectively breaking the cryptographic trust model that SSL/TLS protocols are designed to establish.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes users to significant risks including data interception, credential theft, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Attackers can exploit this weakness to capture and manipulate data transmitted between the mobile application and backend servers, potentially compromising user accounts, personal information, and business-critical data. The vulnerability affects all users of the specific application version, regardless of their device configuration or network environment, making it particularly dangerous due to its widespread impact. The attack vector requires minimal technical expertise, as the vulnerability lies in the application's implementation rather than requiring complex exploitation techniques.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in secure communication protocols. This weakness creates a direct pathway for attackers to bypass the security mechanisms designed to protect against man-in-the-middle attacks, as classified under the ATT&CK technique T1041 for Exfiltration Over C2 Channel and T1566 for Phishing. Organizations and users should immediately update to patched versions of the application, implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, and consider network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in mobile applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of SSL/TLS integration before deployment in production environments.