CVE-2014-6897 in Skyrim Map
Summary
by MITRE
The Skyrim Map (aka com.neko.skyrimmap) application 2.1 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 • 09/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6897 affects the Skyrim Map application version 2.1 for Android platforms, representing a critical security flaw in the application's handling of secure communications. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise user data and system integrity. The vulnerability specifically targets the certificate verification process that should occur when establishing secure connections between the mobile application and remote servers.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's implementation of SSL/TLS security protocols where it bypasses the standard certificate validation procedures that are fundamental to establishing trust in secure communications. When an Android application establishes an SSL connection, it should verify that the server's certificate is issued by a trusted Certificate Authority and that it matches the expected hostname. This verification process involves checking certificate chains, expiration dates, and cryptographic signatures to ensure the authenticity of the server. However, the Skyrim Map application fails to perform these essential checks, leaving connections vulnerable to interception and manipulation by malicious actors who can present forged certificates.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables sophisticated man-in-the-middle attacks that can compromise user privacy and potentially lead to more severe consequences. Attackers can exploit this weakness by intercepting communications between the application and its servers, allowing them to eavesdrop on sensitive information exchanges, modify data in transit, or even redirect users to malicious websites that appear legitimate. This vulnerability particularly affects users who rely on the application for location-based services or other sensitive data interactions, as the compromised connection could expose personal information, login credentials, or other confidential data that the application processes. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates at the network level without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond using the vulnerable application.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-295 which describes "Improper Certificate Validation" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046 for network service scanning and T1566 for credential access through phishing. The vulnerability represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's security architecture and demonstrates poor security practices in mobile application development. Organizations and developers should implement proper certificate pinning mechanisms, utilize established security libraries that handle certificate validation correctly, and conduct thorough security testing including penetration testing and code reviews to identify similar issues in their applications. The remediation approach should involve implementing robust certificate validation procedures, incorporating proper SSL/TLS configuration, and ensuring that all network communications are properly secured through industry-standard cryptographic practices. Additionally, application developers should consider implementing certificate pinning to prevent attackers from using fraudulent certificates even if they can bypass standard validation checks, thereby providing an additional layer of protection against this specific class of vulnerability.