CVE-2014-6958 in ISMRM-ESMRMB 2014
Summary
by MITRE
The ISMRM-ESMRMB 2014 (aka com.coreapps.android.followme.ismrm_esmrmb14) application 6.0.8.5 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-2014-6958 affects the ISMRM-ESMRMB 2014 Android application version 6.0.8.5, representing a critical security flaw in the application's cryptographic implementation. This issue falls under the category of weak certificate validation, specifically failing to properly verify X.509 certificates from SSL servers. The application's failure to implement proper certificate chain validation creates a significant attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors. According to CWE-295, this vulnerability represents a failure to validate certificates, which directly impacts the integrity of secure communications. The flaw exists within the application's SSL/TLS 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 technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables man-in-the-middle attackers to conduct sophisticated attacks against the application's communication channels. Attackers can craft malicious certificates that appear to be from legitimate servers, allowing them to intercept, modify, or steal sensitive information transmitted between the mobile application and backend servers. This vulnerability specifically impacts the application's ability to establish secure connections, as it bypasses the fundamental security mechanisms designed to protect against such attacks. The lack of certificate verification means that the application cannot distinguish between legitimate and malicious certificates, creating an environment where attackers can seamlessly impersonate trusted servers without detection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception to encompass potential data breaches, privacy violations, and compromise of sensitive medical information. Given that this application is related to medical research and conferences, the data being transmitted likely includes confidential research findings, personal medical information, and other sensitive data that could be exploited for financial gain or malicious purposes. The vulnerability affects the application's security posture by undermining the entire SSL/TLS security framework, which is designed to provide confidentiality, integrity, and authentication for network communications. This weakness allows attackers to establish unauthorized communication channels that can be used for persistent surveillance or data exfiltration activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address the core issue of certificate validation within the application's SSL implementation. The primary recommendation involves implementing proper certificate chain validation that includes checking certificate signatures, verifying certificate authorities, and ensuring that certificates have not expired or been revoked. Security professionals should implement certificate pinning mechanisms to prevent the acceptance of unauthorized certificates, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's technique for credential access through man-in-the-middle attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as regular security assessments, network monitoring, and the deployment of intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. The application should be updated to include proper certificate validation routines that align with industry standards and best practices for mobile application security.