CVE-2014-6953 in AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE
Summary
by MITRE
The AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE (aka com.afterlifewitharchie.afterlifewitharchie) application 2.4.1 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 • 09/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6953 affects the AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE Android application version 2.4.1, presenting a critical security flaw in its implementation of secure communication protocols. This weakness resides in the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during SSL/TLS connections, creating an exploitable condition that fundamentally undermines the security of data transmission between the mobile client and remote servers. The absence of certificate verification represents a fundamental breach in the application's security architecture, as it fails to establish the cryptographic trust relationships essential for secure communication.
The technical flaw manifests as a complete absence of certificate pinning or validation mechanisms within the application's network security implementation. When the application establishes SSL connections to remote servers, it does not perform the required verification steps that would normally include checking certificate signatures, validating certificate authorities, examining certificate expiration dates, and ensuring proper hostname matching. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and represents a classic example of weak cryptography implementation that violates fundamental security principles. The flaw enables attackers to exploit the trust model by presenting maliciously crafted certificates that appear legitimate to the application, thereby bypassing the entire SSL/TLS security framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it creates multiple attack vectors for man-in-the-middle adversaries seeking to compromise user data. Attackers can intercept and manipulate communications between the vulnerable application and its backend services, potentially accessing sensitive user information including personal data, account credentials, and any other information transmitted over the insecure connection. The vulnerability affects not only the confidentiality of communications but also the integrity and authenticity of data exchanged, as attackers can modify content in transit without detection. This weakness particularly impacts applications handling sensitive user information, making it a prime target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit mobile application security gaps.
Organizations and developers should implement comprehensive mitigations to address this vulnerability, beginning with the immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms. The recommended approach involves integrating robust certificate pinning strategies that validate certificate chains against trusted certificate authorities while maintaining flexibility for legitimate certificate renewals. Security measures should include implementing certificate verification routines that check certificate signatures, validate certificate expiration dates, and ensure proper hostname alignment with the target server. Additionally, developers should consider implementing certificate transparency checks and regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities across their mobile application portfolio. This remediation effort aligns with ATT&CK technique T1573.002, which covers "Encrypted Channel: Asymmetric Cryptography," and addresses the broader security principle of maintaining secure communication channels as outlined in NIST SP 800-57 and ISO/IEC 27001 standards. The vulnerability serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in mobile applications and the potential consequences of neglecting fundamental security controls.