CVE-2014-6923 in Dubrovnik Guided Walking Tours
Summary
by MITRE
The Dubrovnik Guided Walking Tours (aka com.mytoursapp.android.app351) application 1.3.2 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-2014-6923 affects the Dubrovnik Guided Walking Tours Android application version 1.3.2, representing a critical security flaw in the application's cryptographic implementation. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating a significant security risk that undermines the integrity of secure communications between the mobile client and remote servers. The vulnerability specifically targets the certificate verification process, which is fundamental to establishing trust in secure network communications and preventing unauthorized interception of sensitive data.
From a technical perspective, the flaw manifests as a lack of proper certificate chain validation and trust verification mechanisms within the application's SSL implementation. The application accepts any certificate presented by a server without performing the essential checks that should validate certificate authenticity, including checking certificate authorities, expiration dates, and certificate subject names against the expected server identity. This weakness places the application in violation of established security standards and best practices for secure communication protocols, as outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks including those referenced by the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) catalog. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in SSL/TLS implementations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it creates an environment where man-in-the-middle attacks can succeed without detection. Attackers can exploit this weakness by presenting forged certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application, thereby enabling them to intercept, modify, or steal sensitive information transmitted between the mobile application and its backend services. This includes but is not limited to user credentials, personal information, payment details, and other confidential data that may be processed through the application's secure channels. The risk is particularly concerning for mobile applications that handle sensitive user data, as the attack surface extends beyond simple data interception to include potential account takeovers and identity theft.
The security implications extend beyond immediate data compromise to encompass broader threats to application integrity and user trust. This vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture that violates core principles of secure software development practices. Organizations implementing similar security measures should consider the implications of such weaknesses in their mobile applications, particularly when dealing with sensitive data processing or authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following established security frameworks and guidelines, including those referenced in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, which categorizes such issues under network security misconfigurations and credential access techniques. Remediation efforts must include implementing proper certificate validation, establishing secure communication protocols, and conducting thorough security testing to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future releases.