CVE-2014-6919 in Metalcasting Newsstand
Summary
by MITRE
The Metalcasting Newsstand (aka air.com.yudu.ReaderAIR3017071) application 3.12.0 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 • 09/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6919 affects the Metalcasting Newsstand Android application version 3.12.0 which fails to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS communications. This critical security flaw resides in the application's cryptographic implementation where it accepts any certificate presented by a server without performing the necessary verification steps that should confirm the certificate's authenticity and trustworthiness. The application essentially operates with a null certificate verification mechanism, creating an environment where malicious actors can exploit this weakness to conduct man-in-the-middle attacks against users of the application.
This vulnerability represents a fundamental failure in secure communication protocols and aligns with CWE-295 which specifically addresses improper certificate validation. The flaw enables attackers to establish fraudulent SSL connections by presenting crafted certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application. The attack vector allows adversaries to intercept, modify, or steal sensitive data transmitted between the Android device and web services, potentially compromising user credentials, personal information, or business data that flows through the application's communication channels. The absence of certificate pinning or proper validation creates an opening for attackers to impersonate legitimate services and gain unauthorized access to confidential information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass potential system compromise and business disruption. Users of the Metalcasting Newsstand application face significant risk when accessing services that rely on SSL/TLS encryption, as their communications can be intercepted and manipulated without detection. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of data transmission, undermining the fundamental security assurances that SSL/TLS protocols are designed to provide. Organizations relying on this application for business operations may experience data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage when sensitive information flows through this insecure communication channel.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-6919 should prioritize immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application. The fix requires enabling certificate chain validation, implementing certificate pinning where appropriate, and ensuring that all SSL/TLS connections perform thorough verification of server certificates against trusted certificate authorities. Security measures should include updating the application to properly validate certificate signatures, implement certificate expiration checks, and verify certificate subject names against the expected server names. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level monitoring to detect unusual certificate behavior and establish secure communication protocols that align with industry standards such as those defined in the NIST SP 800-52 guidelines for secure SSL/TLS implementation. The remediation process must address the underlying cryptographic implementation to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions of the application.