CVE-2014-6889 in GunBroker
Summary
by MITRE
The GunBroker.com (aka com.gunbroker.android) application 1.1.2 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-2014-6889 represents a critical security flaw in the GunBroker.com Android application version 1.1.2, specifically targeting the application's SSL certificate verification mechanisms. This weakness falls under the broader category of insufficient certificate validation, which is a fundamental requirement for establishing secure communications between mobile applications and remote servers. The application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates creates a pathway for malicious actors to execute man-in-the-middle attacks without requiring sophisticated technical capabilities.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the application's improper handling of SSL/TLS certificate validation during network communications. When an Android application establishes secure connections to remote servers, it should validate the server's X.509 certificate against a trusted certificate authority to ensure the authenticity of the endpoint. The GunBroker.com application bypasses this critical security check, allowing attackers to present fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the application. This vulnerability directly violates industry security standards and best practices, as it eliminates the cryptographic assurance that secure communications provide.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability exposes users to significant risks including credential theft, financial data compromise, and personal information disclosure. Attackers can exploit this flaw by intercepting communications between the mobile application and GunBroker's servers, potentially gaining access to user account credentials, payment information, and other sensitive data. The impact extends beyond individual user privacy concerns to potential financial losses and reputational damage for GunBroker as a company. This vulnerability particularly affects mobile applications that handle sensitive transactions, making it a prime target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit mobile platform security weaknesses.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1041, which covers "Exfiltration Over C2 Channel." Organizations should implement comprehensive security measures including certificate pinning, proper SSL validation, and regular security audits to prevent such vulnerabilities from occurring. The recommended mitigation strategies involve updating the application to properly validate SSL certificates, implementing certificate pinning to prevent certificate substitution attacks, and conducting thorough security testing of all network communications. Additionally, security professionals should consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous certificate behavior and establish proper incident response procedures to address potential exploitation of this vulnerability.