CVE-2014-6887 in EXPRESS
Summary
by MITRE
The EXPRESS (aka com.gpshopper.express.android) application 2.5.3 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 • 09/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6887 affects the EXPRESS Android application version 2.5.3, representing a critical security flaw in the application's implementation of secure communication protocols. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant weakness in the mobile application's security architecture. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-295, which specifically addresses the improper validation of certificate authorities, making it a direct descendant of well-established certificate validation weaknesses that have plagued mobile applications for years.
The technical flaw manifests when the application establishes secure connections to remote servers using SSL/TLS protocols. Normally, Android applications should verify the authenticity of server certificates against a trusted certificate authority to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks. However, the EXPRESS application bypasses this crucial verification step, allowing attackers to present fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the application. This flaw operates at the transport layer security validation level, where the application fails to perform certificate chain validation, hostname verification, or trust anchor checking that are fundamental requirements for secure communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables sophisticated attackers to conduct active man-in-the-middle attacks against users of the application. An attacker positioned between the user and the server can intercept and modify communications without detection, potentially obtaining sensitive user data, session tokens, or personal information transmitted through the application. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1573.002, which covers "Modify SSL/TLS Certificates," and represents a classic example of how weak certificate validation can undermine the entire security model of mobile applications. The implications extend beyond simple data theft to include potential account takeover, financial fraud, and privacy violations, particularly given that the application appears to be a shopping platform where users might transmit payment information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application. Developers must ensure that all SSL/TLS connections perform comprehensive certificate chain validation, including verification against trusted certificate authorities, hostname matching, and certificate expiration checks. The application should implement certificate pinning where appropriate to prevent downgrade attacks and ensure that only pre-approved certificates are accepted. Additionally, security reviews should include comprehensive testing of SSL/TLS implementations using tools like SSL Labs or Burp Suite to identify similar validation flaws. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level monitoring to detect anomalous certificate behavior and establish incident response procedures for rapid remediation of such vulnerabilities. This vulnerability underscores the critical importance of following security best practices for mobile application development and adheres to industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project and NIST guidelines for secure mobile application development.