CVE-2014-6910 in MemorizeIt!
Summary
by MITRE
The MemorizeIt! (aka com.kshinenterprises.kshinent.memorizeit) application 1.7.2 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 • 09/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6910 affects the MemorizeIt! Android application version 1.7.2, specifically targeting its implementation of secure communication protocols. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the application's approach to network security and certificate validation. The 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 directly impacts the application's ability to establish trust with remote servers, fundamentally undermining the security model that SSL/TLS protocols are designed to provide.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the application's improper handling of SSL certificate verification processes. When the MemorizeIt! application establishes connections to remote servers, it fails to perform proper certificate chain validation, certificate expiration checks, or hostname verification that are standard requirements for secure communications. This behavior creates a man-in-the-middle attack vector where malicious actors can intercept communications by presenting forged certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The flaw essentially allows attackers to create a false sense of security by presenting certificates that bypass the normal certificate validation procedures, enabling them to decrypt and manipulate data transmitted between the mobile device and target servers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it fundamentally compromises the confidentiality and integrity of user information processed by the application. Attackers can exploit this weakness to obtain sensitive user data, including personal information, credentials, or any data transmitted through the vulnerable application's network connections. The vulnerability affects all users of the affected application version, creating a widespread security risk across the user base. This weakness particularly impacts mobile security scenarios where users may be accessing sensitive information through potentially unsecured networks, making the attack surface even more expansive and dangerous.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices outlined in various security standards. The flaw demonstrates a failure to implement proper SSL/TLS security controls and constitutes a direct violation of the principle of least privilege in network communications. Organizations and security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to ATT&CK technique T1041, which covers data compression and encryption techniques that can be exploited when proper certificate validation is not enforced. The vulnerability also ties into broader mobile security concerns related to certificate pinning and secure communication implementation in mobile applications, making it a critical issue for mobile security program assessments and penetration testing activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application. The development team must implement robust certificate chain validation, including hostname verification and certificate expiration checks, to ensure that only legitimate certificates are accepted during SSL/TLS connections. Additionally, implementing certificate pinning techniques would provide an additional layer of security by hardcoding expected certificate fingerprints or public keys within the application. Users should be advised to avoid using the vulnerable application until patches are deployed, and organizations should conduct security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other mobile applications. The fix should also include comprehensive testing of the certificate validation logic to ensure that all edge cases are properly handled and that the application maintains security posture across different network environments and certificate configurations.